Lessons Learned From a Young Missionary
I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. No clue what I was getting myself into. Leading up to the day I would leave everything I’ve ever known, I couldn’t help feeling so unbelievably unqualified. Something I never admitted to anyone was that I never felt…spiritual enough? Is that a thing? It felt like one at the time.
Thinking back to sitting on a plane on New Year’s Eve, 19 years old, counting down the seconds until 2017 would begin. Surrounded by strangers, flying over Ireland, and preparing to land in jolly ole England. I can confirm it is in fact, jolly. Sometimes I wonder what went through my parent’s heads when they sent me off to a place we didn’t know a soul. Sometimes I wonder…but then I’m reminded how they so graciously let me be an independent adult for the first time. For that I am grateful.
I spent two years as a missionary in a place that could be could be described as unconventional for that job. At least that’s what I thought at first. When I heard the word missionary, I used to think, poorer countries, orphans, places people only go for about a week at a time.
Lesson 1. There are no limits to what it means to be a missionary.
I truly mean no limits. You can do it anywhere. Not just the places we’re convinced “need it”. It’s much more than that. It’s your mom. It’s your best friend’s family. It’s the homeless man you see on your way to work. It’s even the people in your church community, because believe it or not, we all could use some extra love. If you feel you’re meant to go across the world to accomplish that, do it. Go and don’t think twice. If not, you still have an equal opportunity with your surroundings right where you are. If you are not willing to love and serve the people around you every day, the same way you are willing to with the beautiful children of that third world country you’re posting about…then you have no business with the latter.
Lesson 2. Support is incredibly important. It can also be hard to come by.
This is with my own personal experience, and I don’t doubt that others have had different. Support in more ways than one was hard to come by. Firstly, if you know of a missionary, or someone out there trying to spread some extra love to the world, don’t hesitate to send a message. Ask them how they are. Ask them what’s been happening recently. My absolute favorite thing was to share the experiences with those that weren’t around me. I couldn’t wait to do it. Although, a lot of the time I was waiting for others to ask first. Most importantly, when they arrive back in their passport country; whether that be for a short time or indefinitely, check-in. The support doesn’t stop after that. I missed out on a lot of support when I returned home. I found a lot more difficulties than I anticipated; feeling alone, regretting decisions, missing my community, and feeling so lost in a place that I was supposed to call home.
Support also means financially. Mission work can look vastly different from person to person, but most of the time it’s expected that you won’t make an income. That being said, we mainly lived off of support from anyone and everyone. If you’re one of those people who think, other people will do it, so I don’t need to. I would encourage you to change that mindset. If you’re in a place to support someone in that way, consider it. Ask them for updates on what their work looks like. Ask them what their budget looks like. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know where your money is going. But I will say, I can promise you it is going to something so great. It’s going to that person’s personal growth, the bus they’re taking to meet for coffee and even that cup of coffee.
Lesson 3. It’s not complicated.
People are people. No matter who you are or where you are in the world. People are just…people. We are all here to be successful in our own right. Most of us want to find love. Some of us strive for adventure. No matter who you are, you’re a person on this Earth just like me. I overcomplicated what it meant to be a missionary in the beginning. I thought I need to know it all. All the bible verses, all the right things to say at all times, and even all the answers. I thought at 19 years old, I was supposed to have all the answers? This happens to be the quickest lesson I learned out of all of these. I quickly learned that it actually isn’t that complicated. To love and serve others means so many different things. It could be as simple as buying someone a cup of coffee and just, listening. Just listen. Listen to their heart, why they’re hurting, what makes them laugh. Listen. If you have nothing else to give someone, give them your time. I found that most of the time that’s what people want. They don’t really need you to preach to them, or take them to a big church event, or get this…have all the answers. When I look back on my time in England, my favorite memories are all of the moments I was privileged to spend with the people there. In the moments I was able to listen and even learn for myself from others.
Lesson 4. It will change your outlook on life.
My biggest wake-up call was when I woke up in my bed, back home in Florida, after being away for those years. The world I knew was much larger and much smaller all at the same time. That part I can’t elaborate on, partly because it still doesn’t make much sense to me either. I learned how to appreciate those extra special friends I made, even if they live all over this world. On the other end, I gained wisdom in understanding the relationships that no longer make me better. In my day to day life now, there are things that are easier, and things that are much harder. Most days I long to be a part of something as great as that was. In the meantime, I’m still looking for it.
I will leave you with this. If you’re on the fence about a decision, take the next step. Do it. Go. Be. Be the best you. The decision I made to move across the world with all those doubtful feelings, was by far the best one I’ve ever made. If you know a missionary or someone out there doing good for nothing in return, take care of them. Do what you can to support the work they’re doing. Moral of the story; do something good today.
You have full permission to show up just as you are.
I would love to hear your stories! If you have your own experience as a missionary, what was it like? Have you ever supported another missionary; and in what ways?
