Do we make the decision to become missionaries?

A banker sat in the pew at church one Sunday morning. She saw an insert on the four short term mission trips her church was planning in the next several months. Some in the US, some outside, one in China. The one to China just seemed to stand out. Why? Well why not?

She knew right away that she would never be one of those "long term" missionaries. She was a banker, she was 25 years old, and she needed to focus on building a savings for the large family she'd always dreamed about. This ten day trip to China was perfect. Doing what she felt was right without an irrational commitment.

This banker signed up. She found some supportive, loving friends and family to financially and prayerfully support her way on her little mission. Nine other people signed up too. Another nice part about her trip. Getting to know people in a church she had only joined about eight months before this. After all, networking is always a good thing. She was excited about the chance to reach out and touch some lives on behalf of the Lord she'd known since she was little too.

Just before she left there was a weird feeling in her heart. Does God talk to us? Well they always say you take away just as much as you give on these things. Maybe it was the anticipation of become closer to God. Maybe it was the concept of learning how to bring Jesus to children effectively. After all, if she was going to be that professional mom she'd dreamed about all her life, she needed the experience.

Why do we pray? Why do we open our hearts and talk to that Jesus we learned about in Sunday school? What happens when we talk to Him? What happens to us when we get done talking and wait to actually listen for a response? I suppose a god strong enough to create with his voice could possibly speak to us. Right? Or maybe the right question is this, do we want an answer?

I didn't. I liked my life. I have three younger sisters and a brother. I'm the oldest and I'm close to every one of them. I'm in love with my life, my friends, my family and my work. Why then, would God want to speak to me? When He has something to say, it doesn't matter what you or I think our future holds. He knows. He'll talk to you when its the right time.

Three days before I left on that trip, God yelled. When He tried to speak to me, that day in the pew, I covered my ears. That day before the trip, in front of the friends and family that had supported my every step in life, I said these words: I have no idea if I'll be back in two weeks. Now I could hear Him. That irrational commitment was no longer a choice. God put it in my heart and I couldn't ignore Him any more.

I came back May 2, 2009. I will leave August 17, 2009 for at least one year. Why does God call a banker to spread His word to people on the other side of this world? Well... none of us will ever have that answer.

May the Lord open my heart to understand His will for me in His mission. May He give me the strength to uncover my ears, and listen. May He open your ears, when its your turn to be the missionary to your friends, your neighbors, or halfway across the world.

The "getting ready" time is a blessing itself!

I have to start this blog by saying that Paul speaks for all of us in saying that its our open hearts to God and not our own speaking abilities that spread His love. I've never been confident in my speaking abilities, but have seen God work through me already. How humbling.

An update on my life as it starts in missions: I am currently responsible for raising $23,000 which will cover travel, living, visas and administrative costs over the course of one year. I also have a class on teaching English to finish in the near future. It all seemed so overwhelming at first. The Lord has once again put peace in my heart on a seemingly very difficult subject. I know that "in Him I can accomplish anything." And He's reinforced that sentiment time and again lately.

For anyone not already aware, I will be leaving August 17th to live in Hong Kong as a missionary for a minimum of one year. It will be my responsibility, with the help of two other girls, Andre and Megan, will be to open and teach in an English Center. We will teach paid English classes to students, people in the community, and business people throughout Hong Kong. My church, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, is also doing some really amazing things there. I hope to be of some help in setting up a mission exchange program and planting an English church. The Lord really does work in amazing ways.