Be the Missionary God made YOU to be

For many years now, I have been dreaming about going to Africa. If someone told me that they have been to Africa, anywhere in Africa, I would feel as if they had told me they won the lottery. Africa has always been an important place in my heart and I never knew why until June 23rd, 2019 when I saw Ethiopia, Africa with my own eyes. When I could smell the African air, task their food, hold the hand of a precious African child, and hear God’s gentle but powerful voice speak to me.

As I stepped out of the airplane, the heat hit my face, and I smelled a different smell, African air. I really don’t know how to describe what it smells like, but I knew it was a smell I could get used to. We continued our way through the airport to get visas, bags, and find our ride. My heart was racing on the inside but I think I was pretty calm on the outside. I couldn’t believe that I was actually in Africa. All I could say was, “Thank you God, thank you so much for bringing me here.” “Oh just wait my child for what you are going to experience this week.” I felt Him express to me.

I couldn’t believe my eyes as we drove through the city of Addis Ababa. There were so many homeless children, mothers, and elderly people. It seemed like a wealthy city… big buildings, hotels, businesses… but beyond that, my eyes were drawn to that little boy, laying on the side of the street who looked like he hadn’t eaten for days, and that mother carrying her baby on her back, begging for food. If your car came to a stop, you would find a young child or mother knocking on your window begging for anything you would give them. I couldn’t help but give them what I had. 1 burr, 34 cents, could get them a loaf of bread, and that’s all they wanted, that’s all they needed to allow them to walk away happy and blessed. My heart broke for what I saw just minutes down the road. I already knew this was going to be an emotional week for me.

I didn’t want the week to end. I didn’t want to leave the people I met and began to love. I cried, a lot… But as each day went by, I felt more peace about leaving as I knew that one day, I will be back. I miss everyone I met there, but all I can do is pray for them, that they got to have some food today and a loving hug and kiss. Every child should go to bed with a goodnight kiss from someone who loves them. Be sure to hug and kiss your little one as they close their eyes, and be sure they know how much they are loved. Be sure to hug and kiss your mom and dad, and tell them you love them. Even us teenagers who may reply to you with, “yes yes I know you love me,” we mean that in the most loving way. We love you too, even in the tough times of growing up.

Some people say, “I wish I could help them, but I’ve got a job and family here to take care of, I can’t help over there.” You don’t need to dedicate your life to a country across the world to help, but I do feel that everyone should take the opportunity to travel to a third world country and experience this at least once in their life. To really see how these people live, as they don’t know any differently, to experience the diverse cultures in this world, and to look into a little ones eyes. Tears fill my eyes as I write this. Words can’t express how I feel when I am in a nation across the world, and when I look into a child’s eyes. My heart melts and all I want to do is pick them up, bath them, give them clothes to wear, and feed them. I am determined to one day be a mother to many and do just that. To show families around the world, who Jesus Christ is and how He change their life!

SO Ethiopia, there is so much that Adams Thermal Foundation is doing down there to change these children and family’s lives. The joy that I see on these teenagers faces when we tell that that there is a high school being built for them to continue their education and then go to university. For that entire community to now have running water, and for that teacher to have a job and money to provide food and clothes for their family. It was so amazing to see God’s work through this foundation. I am looking forward to the day that I can go back and do more. My heart melts and tears form in my eyes when I think about going and doing God’s work across the world, but until then, I am to do God’s work here in my everyday life. To love and help the people around me.

Many people have asked how I would compare Ethiopia to Haiti… I couldn’t compare. Haiti is much more different in my eyes. Haiti is crazy, the poverty looks different, and the culture is different… but God used both countries, and every nation that I have been to, to touch my heart in significant ways. He has grown my faith and wisdom about this world through every experience I have been through.

Every country is just different, but man, there are so many nations in this world, 197 to be exact, and millions of people who have never heard the name Jesus, and who have never felt His unconditional love. Think about that… Or how about this, no running water, no electricity which means no air conditioning, no wifi… People all over the world live a life full of “nos.” Could you live that kind of life, would you choose to live that kind of life if it meant you were sharing the good news of Jesus Christ every day… Well I have news for you, the millions of people that have not felt the unconditional love of Jesus Christ may just live in your community, work with you everyday, shop at the same grocery store you shop at… There are so many people out there that are hurting and yearning for someone to come into their life and help them. Be that person. You don’t have to travel across the world to reach the hurting people! Take a moment and look at your life, the people you encounter everyday, the things you say and do… Is what you say and do, good, loving, and caring? Are the people you encounter happy or sad, struggling or thriving, living a life with God or not? Take the time to know the answer to these questions if you don’t know them already and seek God on what to do next. God puts blessings and challenges in your life everyday, but it is up to you on how you react to them and what you decide to do next. Do you walk away from it or do you face it, and possibly change someones life and change your own life? Don’t live a life without God, live a life with Him, but it’s not just any life, this is eternity.

For those of you who have been called to do missions across that world, follow that calling! Listen closely to what God says, and obey. He is so clear and will be with you every step of the way! Trust and have full faith in Him!

I’ve known for a long time that I want to be missionary, but everyday brings new challenges and questions. How can I just step away from what I have here in America to go live a life full of nos? Who in the world would want to do that?? With tears in my eyes, I tell you that “I do,” I would be honored to live a life of nos, because with God I have everything I need. I say this with full faith and trust to God that my life with be full of yes’s and hearts all over the world will be touched and changed… but for me to do this, you need to do the same here in America. Your mission field is here, while my mission field is there. So please do me a favor, be the light of Jesus everyday of your life. When life gets hard, stop and pray, remind yourself that God is greater than all things. We are all missionaries, don’t ever forget that!