It was one of those days February 12th 2017. I was following a young missionary family around in a village as they were learning language and culture. It impressed me how their older son less than five year old shown in the photo can speak German, English and is very interested in getting the trade language in the local village. Walking behind the family I could hear the conversation of this young boy with a fellow friend his age. “We are missionaries, do you like being a missionary?”
“Do you like being a missionary?” A very good question and yes I do like being a missionary I found myself saying under breath. A missionary that finds he hates the job set before him most likely will never finish the work. This is a very good question as you pick up your cross and follow Jesus to the regions beyond with the gospel message.
Hebrews 12:1 tells us that we need to run with endurance the race before us and we must run the race like Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross. Joy brings endurance and what joy to serve the one that said “go and I will go with you.”
Pray that our new incoming missionaries will not lose their joy as they learn a new way of life so much different than where they came from. There will be new food, new language, new culture, new co-workers and a new stress that will push and push and push. With mission work being a way of life their kids will need to come on board as they move into the jungles of the low lands, mountains of the Highlands or a city thriving in the darkness of the un-reached around the world. Jack