2 - On Foreign Soil

When I decided to step over my hesitations and board a plane to Ecuador for my first missions trip, the Lord knocked my socks off!

While on foreign soil He showed me so much: First, that He loved me just the way I was, but didn’t want to leave me that way. He stretched me and surrounded me with an amazing team of people to help me learn and grow. I’m always in awe of how the Lord builds mission teams with the perfect mix of strengths, weaknesses, personalities and gifts to share. Second, He showed that not only could He use me, but that He wanted to use me as well. That was so shocking to me because, like I said, I felt like a pretty wimpy Christian. Third, He revealed His heart for the nations, the suffering and the poor. I’ve often been asked

If God is all-powerful, why are so many people poor and hungry?
If God is loving and compassionate, why do people suffer with diseases and disabilities?
If God is merciful, why are we losing an entire generation to HIV/AIDS?

These are tough questions that have even tougher answers… You see, WE are His answers. The Lord demonstrates His power, love, compassion, and mercy when He sends us out as the hands and feet of Christ. God chooses us and uses us when we choose to step out and follow him. And when we do, the blessings are incredible!!

On that first mission trip, the Lord also gave me a glimpse into His unique purpose for my life. From that point on I felt called to serve others around the world, and it was that calling or passion that fueled my hunger for the Lord and for spiritual growth. I knew that someday I’d be a full-time missionary, and set out to prepare and pray for the Lord’s timing.

...to be continued…