Since I was young, I had a yearning to be a doctor which transformed into wanting to become a medical missionary. I wanted to live in a poverty-ridden area, speak Spanish, share Jesus and help many sick and injured people feel well again. God allowed me to spend a very short time abroad on the mission field. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life! I have desperately wanted to go back on the mission field, but it seems God has different plans for me...or did He?
Several years ago, I attended a church which had a sign at the exit of the parking lot saying, "You are now entering the mission field." That sign really made me think. Yes, the whole world is a mission field. I do not have to travel to be a missionary. Everywhere around me is my mission field. I slowly started to try to be a missionary in my every day life. I soon discovered the sign at the church was all wrong. It should read, "Be alert. You are ALWAYS on the mission field." From talking to telemarketers on the phone to the cashier at the grocery store, they are always opportunities to be a missionary. You do not need to leave your county, your community or even your house to share God's Word with the world.
As my life has progressed, an interesting thing happened. I am living in one of the poorest areas in my nation. Spanish is often the language of choice. By using my own medical experiences, I can sympathize with many who are sick or injured and can freely dispense encouragement, love and support to them. Every day I can share my love for Jesus with those around me. It seems God has indeed allowed me to be a medical missionary! I am just serving in a different capacity than I had ever envisioned.
This post is dedicated to Milly. She was one of the first people I met when I became severely ill. We both had unknown medical conditions and a love for Jesus. Through her actions, she showed me I could be a missionary without leaving my house. As both our medical adventures progressed, we both discovered we had Mitochondrial Disease. On Wednesday, March 2, 2016, the Lord called Milly home from the mission field. I can only imagine when Milly went home to heaven, Jesus saying to her, "'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord'" (Matthew 25:23).
No comments:
Post a Comment