Be Amazed!

Missionaries are everywhere, BUT, not "everywhere!" Is that confusing? What I mean is; we can look around the world and see that there are missionaries around the globe but there are not mssionaries everywhere they are needed. There are still so many places that need missionaries to serve. So many people, although hard for us in America to understand, that have never heard the message of Christ and the hope that is found in Him.

This is so true! As a missionary, my heart breaks at the thought that there are so many people living in this world that the Word of God has not been shared with. To know that they will live and die without the knowledge of salvation or at least the truth found through the scriptures. Does this break your heart? I hope so. Pray that more may receive the call and answer that call God places upon them to "go" preach and teach Jesus Christ.

You may ask, "what excatly does a missionary do anyway?" Great question! Being a mission is really easy yet very difficult at the same time. The easy part is loving God, the lost, the broken and the outcast. The hard part is seeing the broken, lost and outcast living without Christ. Again, my heart breaks as I sit and talk with those I have been sent to serve. I listen to their stories of hardship, brokeness, despair and lack of hope. Then, after I listen to their hearts I get to share mine with them; not just mine but more importantly, God's.

I share with them the love that God has for their lives and how He gives hope and can bring a joy they have never experienced or known. This joy and love does not mean that their lives will become rich, that thier poverty will vanish or their circumstances will change. It simply means that the can know that after this life has passed they can be assured through Christ's gift of salvation that they will enter into eternity and live forever in the very presence of God Himself. No pain, no poverty, no despair, no hunger, no tears! I love to share this part! There IS hope through Jesus Christ! As a missionary, I am blessed with opportunities to not only share the Gospel but also serve others in ways I never knew.

Since becoming a missionary I have been blessed to be a part of changing lives through a variety of ways. Serving and loving on children who have been tossed away by family due to mental or physical afflictions. These children "always" seem to bring more joy and blessing to me than I could ever bring to them. At the same time, what a joy it is to be able to love on these children and let them know that they have been fearfully and wonderfully made by God! These are my children too as they hold such a dear place in my heart!

As a missionary, I am also blessed to see others lives changed as homes are built, beds are constructed and at times a chicken coop is built so they can raise and sell chickens as an income for their families and put an end to their hunger. I am able to go into the local schools and share how God changes lives, play with the school children and build long term relationships. As I return year after year I get to watch "my kids" grow up before my eyes. What a blessing to be part of their lives! God is good!

Being a missionary isn't about jumping on a plane and flying to some exotic location, laying on a beach getting my tan on. It's not about fund raising so someone else can help pay my bills. Its ALL about having the ability to go and share the love of God to people in places that others will not or cannot go to. To be honest, being a missionary is hard! In fact, it is the hardest thing I have ever been part of. I spend a lot of time away from my family, my home, my comforts. I live on less than minumum wage and yet God blesses me beyond my needs. I spend months at a time sleeping on floors, sharing my bed with all sorts of critters, go days without showers and so much more. But I am a missionary! Although it can be very difficult, stressful and disconnecting I am so glad God has chosen me to do and to go! As the old song goes...."These are just a few of my favorite things..."

Part of being a missionary is to know the people you are serving. We serve in many different areas and cultures. What I am accustomed to in my life in the USA is not what or how the majority of the world lives. Most things are very different in the countries and areas where I serve. To simply go in and think that I can simply walk up to soemone and demand their respect and attention and have the right to be heard would be wrong. Culture demands a difference.

One of the greatest parts of my missionary service is getting to know the people where I serve. As part of Praying Pelican Missions, we strive for "Genuine" relationships, partnerships and life long friendships. Be it myself or others that I serve with, it is our desire to "know" the people. I want to know their stories, their strugges and hurts. I want to share in their lives and be part of thier story as they learn of Christ through our relationship. By this, I and others not only gain another soul for Christ but a brother or sister in Christ for the long haul. As our relationships grow we get to see how God works and changes their lives, how sorrow turns to joy and hoplessness turns to salvation! It simply doesn't get any better than this. I love being a missionary! I love that God has called me into this service and ministry. I am so glad I accepted that call, that I know God and know His voice when He calls.

We are there, BUT, not everywhere! God has a plan! Maybe part of that plan is you. Maybe there is a place God is or has been calling you to. If that is the case, let go and go! You will never be dissapointed, but always amazed!

Be Amazed!

In His Name!

Brent