So I’ve had a few people say (or write in most cases), “And that’s why I could never be a missionary!” or “I could never do that!” or “Wow. I can’t believe you do that!” or…… Okay, you get the idea. And here’s the deal, I have said those same things about tribal missionaries. “I could never live in a tribe.” “I would never be able to make it without having another woman to talk to in my first language.” “I would never be able to handle all the medical & dental stuff you (speaking to said tribal missionary) do!” And so on.
But here’s the thing…missionaries, tribal or otherwise, are just NORMAL people too (we get homesick, scared, we don’t always all get along, our children fight, we like watching movies & listening to music, we are still growing in our walk with the Lord, etc.). I’m often caught off guard when someone says/writes me that. I usually don’t know what to say…’Yes you could!’ just doesn’t seem to fit. And ‘ You are so right!’ isn’t it either. But I’ve been thinking about this a little and here is what I’ve come up with. If God calls us to do something/go someplace, He will give us all we need to be able to do/go. Or He’ll be there to teach us something if we don’t.
It’s true, there are just some things we are not going to be able to do on our own. But when God gives us His strength to do it, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
And just to be real…I’m so glad He doesn’t call all of us to do the same thing…because seriously, I could NEVER eat some of the things our tribal missionary friends have had to eat (grubs, monkey, snake, fruit stuff with everyones-from the tribe- spit in it)! 🙂