No need to pack a bag... you are already there!

My life has become a balancing act. God had directed our paths, (mine predominantly) to be torn in two. Loving the life He has given me with a fabulous husband and two wonderful kids here.... and yet, a yearning to be with kids who haven't been blessed with this life, in a country that looks and feels so much different from the "American Dream".

I don't know why me, I don't know why us, why Ethiopia... but, I had an "interesting" discussion on Sunday with a woman who got frustrated when I referred to her future "missions trip" as a "family trip." (she was going with a family member)

I later asked for her forgiveness, all the while, trying to get my heart to ignore her repeated comments about how E/A aren't our sons, but rather our "sponsor kids". (grrr...sometimes there just isn't enough time to explain the complex nature of our family, but I tried not to shout, my repeated answer of "NO" to her.)   Here's the point I tried to express.   I don't need an award, I am not "holier than thou". (trust me).. and neither did/is she.

WE ALL SHOULD BE ON A MISSION TRIP. Yours may not require a 9,000 + mile flight, but you should be on a mission trip none-the-less.

Going to grocery store? Enjoy your mission trip! How is God wanting to use you to encourage the cashier to know Him? 

Eating at a restaurant? Enjoy your mission trip! What type of tip do you leave? Do you complain and make a pest of yourself, or is the service staff glad you came?? What experience with Jesus do they have while you are there?

The list goes on and on... but sometimes I call these trips I take "mission trips", and most of the time I just call them "trips"... because sharing the gospel isn't something that should be done exclusively on these trips. (nor is it... God is working on me!!!) 

Yes, I need help getting there, and I will talk about that in a later post (this one took a big detour) but "How's your mission trip going?"  Or have you forgotten you are ON one??

If you have a personal relationship with JESUS CHRIST.  If you have confessed your sins, and claim Him as your Lord and Savior....  There's no need to pack...  you ARE on a mission trip, right where He has you!

Get to work, share the joy, the hope, the forgiveness... that comes from knowing HIM.

~Tamara