There are certain expectations of what a missionary looks like. What are we?
We are everyday people whose sole purpose in the present moment is to spread the gospel; and for world racers that means to the nations. But, how does that actually look? How exactly do we share the gospel with the nations and what does it actually mean to be on the world race?
Sometimes, it exceeds expectations. Since being on the race I have been witness to physical healing on the streets of Del Mar, Chile. I have watched as people wept in our arms as we prayed over their family and friends. I have spent hours knocking on every door in neighborhoods hoping to share the good news of our Lord and Savior just as Jesus’ disciples did before us and many times it was successful. I have seen animal sacrifices like that of the Old Testament. I have gained brothers and sisters in Christ and I have shared my own testament of redemption and walked in freedom as the Lord moves me.
However, that isn’t what we do everyday. Sure, I may see and have seen miraculous things. People coming to Christ, healing of mind body and soul. I may even see the Lord give the blind sight and the deaf hearing but that isn’t it.
Some days, we wake up at 7:00 am to cook four meals a day to serve our own teammates and squad mates until 11:00 pm. I have bleached bathrooms several times in the same week even if it felt like I just cleaned it. We’ve come alongside teachers as they teach youth how to speak English; even then it might only mean drawing a few pictures on the board and adding movements because you don’t actually know what the word means in Spanish. I’ve spent entire days sitting around a table drinking coffee or tea. We’ve spent all day trying to pray for people and all we get is rejection. I’ve held a rope for three hours. We’ve followed our ministry hosts around as they did ministry without our help. Sometimes, I spend more time explaining what the world race is and what kind of ministry we could be doing than actually participating in that kind of ministry. We have spent hours doing yard work, weeding, painting, sweeping and cleaning.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. ~Matthew 6:33
Often times, ministry looks nothing like what you might think. However, God has been teaching me the value of living every moment for the sake of the kingdom. Ever dish that we wash, weed that we pull, floor that we sweep, rope that we hold, hand that we hold, person that we pray for and hello that we offer or receive is for the sake of His Kingdom, so that His light would be shown through us, so that He may be known among the nations. All of our work has purpose. We are beacons of light and we are kingdom chasers.
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. ~Matthew 19:29
~A huge thank you for all of the love and support over the last two months. I couldn’t do this without the love and support of family and friends. I love you all endlessly.~
All my love,
R
