Missionaries are Special People ...

A few years ago my niece ,who was 18 at the time came to me and asked if it was okay if she didn't want to be a missionary. She had just come from a 3 week missionary trip in India and had not enjoyed it at all.

This girl really loves the Lord, and she was feeling very guilty because at that point in her life, missionary work was not what she wanted to do.

"But I've been told that God needs missionaries, and we need to answer his call, " she said.

"Not everyone is called to be a missionary, my dear girl. It is a special calling, one that not everyone can do. Yes, we are all told to preach the gospel in season and out, but we are not all called to do this on the missions field, " I told her.

Missionaries are special people. They live hard lives. They live in dangerous places, some in places where their lives can be in jeopardy. They live with disease and illnesses. Diseases that can be easily diagnosed and treated in this country, but not where they live. Some live without electricity or running water. They have to learn new languages and gain an understanding of the country and cultures that they are living in, and then adapt to the culture while showing the love of Jesus to those that they serve. They are in the trenches for Christ and their lives are hard.

Missionaries are special people there are no accolades every time that they give a speech, preach a sermon, or write a book. I wonder though if accolades are being collected in heaven and being turned into crowns for the missionary to throw at Jesus feet.

Missionaries are special people. Not everyone is called to be a full time missionary, and I think that it is important that while we should encourage missionary work we recognize that not everyone is called to be a missionary.

I am blessed watching their endurance and perseverance as they serve Christ.
I am blessed watching God work in their lives. He is good to meet their needs and help them through difficult times.
I am blessed to be a part of it by being a missionary mom.
I am blessed as I grow in faith because I choose to give my family to God over and over again.

I am thankful that God loves me and my children.
I am thankful that God is Sovereign and nothing happens to me or my children that He doesn't allow.
I am thankful that because of the finished work of Jesus that I can draw near to the throne of grace, and when I don't know how to pray that Jesus sits at the right hand of God interceding for my missionary.
I am thankful that all things work together for good to those that love God and are called according to His purpose.

Missionaries are special people.

For those that read this blog, please would you pray for my missionary son.
He is really really sick again and they aren't sure what is wrong. His computer is still down, but we did hear from him as he wanted us to pray for him.