Moving to the missions field

[Guest guategirl99]

Recently I accepted a teaching position at a missionary school, and I am excited about the ways that the Lord will work once I am there, but everything surrounding my leaving is killing me. All I feel like doing anymore is crying.

My mom is not supportive of my decision to follow the Lord's leading so that hurts me and I am feeling so lonely because I dont have anyone who understands what I am feeling with the anticipation of the move. Also, I am leaving behind a few very close, special friends and I dont know what I am going to do without them. I just want to look forward to the full time ministry the Lord has called me to, but I am afraid that my breaking heart is going to get in the way of what the Lord has planned for me.

Edited August 3, 2004 by guategirl99

[ray]

Well, how old are you? Have you even been on a missionary trip before? Where are planning to be a missionary? How you planning to support yourself IF and when you become a missionary? Why does not your family wish to support you in this endevor? What makes you think it will be an easy thing to be a missionary? Do you speak a foriegn language? Can you budget money enough for your survial? Have you ever done anything on your own prior to this big jump?

Well that enough of my soap box. Whatever you do may God Bless You.

ray

[IslandRose]

Recently I accepted a teaching position at a missionary school, and I am excited about the ways that the Lord will work once I am there, but everything surrounding my leaving is killing me. All I feel like doing anymore is crying.

My mom is not supportive of my decision to follow the Lord's leading so that hurts me and I am feeling so lonely because I dont have anyone who understands what I am feeling with the anticipation of the move. Also, I am leaving behind a few very close, special friends and I dont know what I am going to do without them.  I just want to look forward to the full time ministry the Lord has called me to, but I am afraid that my breaking heart is going to get in the way of what the Lord has planned for me.

Hi guategirl99,

As a missionariy kid and a missionary with my husband here in the Cayman Islands, I understand some of the feelings you have. When we make the choice to go into missions, it is sometimes hard for us to understand why everyone around us is not thrilled as we are that God is pleased to work through us. It is hard, sometimes for those around us to understand how we can be so excited about the prospect of leaving all that is familiar to go to what can be difficult surroundings to serve the Lord.

The Only thing I can tell you is that God gives each of us the Grace to do what he wants us to do. My definition of Grace is the desire and ability to do what God has called us to do. In other words, when God calls you to do something, He equips us for it. He gives us joy in it. And He meets the needs of our heart through it.

Often when those around try to talk us out of what we feel God wants us to do, it is because they are focused on what THEY are losing rather than on what God can do with a willing heart.

What I suggest is this. First. PRAY...be sure that what you are doing is what God has called you to do and not something you are doing our of your own desires. Then Pray for your family and friends, that God will change and encourage their hearts so that they can become an encouragement to you in His Work. And then, learn to depend only on the Lord for your joy and encouragement. We love our family and friends, but only the Lord will be the one who will never let us down or cause us to be discouraged in well doing.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing : for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

God Bless You! IR :il:

P.S. Will you have internet access where you will be serving. If so, You will find this a good place of refreshment and encouragement as well.

[Guest guategirl99]

Island Rose,

Thanks for the encouragement that you could bring. I have a very close friend who was also an MK and now serves as a missionary with her husband, but I have not been able to talk with her in two weeks because they are on their way up here to bring their daughter to school. I think that between the combination of not being able to reach her when I need to talk along with the news that a friend of mine was sent home from the hospital to pass away was just too much for me. I needed someone to talk to last night and so I tried turning here. Much of what you wrote sounded like things that she would have said to me. After I got off I also shared these concerns with the Lord again and just cried myself to sleep. Sometimes I think that is the best thing to do.

I am a recent college graduate, but the Lord planted the seed for missions back when I was in high school. I have been on five missions trips, and two of them were to the city where I will be going in 15 short days. My first two trips were with my father, but the last three I have gone on my own.

I had been to the school twice before, and then a friend paid my way for me to re-visit in March of this year. My plans were to visit with friends, but ended up spending a lot of time at the school and falling in love with the city and the school all over. Upon my return to the States I spent a lot of time praying about the decision and speaking with older spiritual leaders in my life.

I dont speak the language fluently, but took four years of Spanish in high school and I tested out of it in college so I know enough to get by. My Spanish teacher from high school is one of my closest friends and she said that it will come back to me quickly once I am immersed in it once again. I feel like the Lord has prepared me for the adventure ahead of me, but just thinking about leaving behind my loved ones brings me to tears.

Yes, I will have internet access!

[stillwaters]

quategirl99....I have had little personal experience with missions...but I did go on a short term trip to Japan last summer. I was 57 then, had never even flown in an airplane before. I went with seasoned missionaries and travelors.

Before we left we read a book called Brutchko...it is a biography about a man who went to So. America as a young man...about your age. It tells of all the obstacles he overcame...including a unsympathetic family...wierd delays "seemingly" from the Lord and years of waiting for the FRUIT in jungle. What an inspiration,,,and I believe he is still there. He lived in the trees with the natives at first.

I had never thought of going on missions myself...don't like to travel...but the Lord made His will obvious...if He has made His will obvious to you...stay in it.

I was just reading how reluctant Moses was to take his commision from the Lord...yet he made the right choice.

May the Lord strengthen your heart in His purposes for you.