Miserary or Missionary

I’m a missionary… which means I suffer all sorts of hardships, fulfilling my duty as a Christian, to bring the gospel to dieing people in third world countries all around the world.
Uncomfortable, hungry, tired, dirty, smelly, poor…

But that’s to be expected, right?

Missionaries are supposed to be humble, poor people, who live in one-room huts with the goats and chickens. They must endure the worst of conditions and climates to sacrificially bring the gospel to the lost and dieing.

Or Not…

God has not called me (or you) to be a miserary (miserable missionary). God has called us to live life abundantly, and thoroughly enjoy it as we honor and glorify Him! Yes some are called to rough it more then others. But the neat part about being on God’s team is that when the hard times come, as they will, He gives the strength and joy to keep going on. It never has to be miserable! 🙂
You don’t have to take a day of from being a missionary to have fun. It really is full time.

1Peter 3:15 Be ready ALWAYS to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of salary you make, if you name the name of Christ (CHRISTian) then YOU ARE A MISSIONARY!
Being a missionary is equivalent to being a Christian. Our mission is built into who we ARE as sons and daughters of the King.
Our work is our lifestyle.
God has given us purpose, a goal in life, and the means to achieve it!
We possess all that we need: a smile, the Holy sprit’s power, the unconditional love of Jesus oozing from us, and the Word of God as our backup.
Our object is to overtake the earth with the love of Jesus, and overwhelm the devil with God worshipers.
Our strategy is to spread over every inch of the planet, and infiltrate every work place, school, and neighborhood.
Our targets are human beings. Any of them. Don’t fret about where to go, people are everywhere! You can go to Asia, Africa, Europe, the Outback, the supermarket, the park, your neighbors house, or stay at home and talk to tellemarketers.
Love makes no distinctions.
God wants to save the business-man sitting in the car next to you in a traffic jam just as much as He does the African mother who’s struggling to provide for her 7 children.
Live life and be who you ARE (Gods Saint / the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth).
If you feel the call to go somewhere specific, then go. Otherwise, until you get further instructions continue living out those you’ve already received.
AS you work, play, travel, and enjoy the life that God has given you, make friends and share what makes your heart beat.
Folks, being a missionary is natural and it’s simple (not always the same as easy). Tell people about the One who created you. Go on and on about your love story and how Jesus wooed you. Share about the awesome things God has done in your life.
It’s not a burden.
It’s not miserable.
It’s exciting!
I am a Christian. I claim that with the kind of pride a marine does!
I have my mission from my commander in chief “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15”
It’s what I’ve been created to do.
I am invincivle and unstoppable in carrying out this mission. God’s work done Gods way never lacks Gods provision. I may get beat up (or killed), made fun of, or become an outcast, but I shall not fail. To succeed I only need one thing, a willing heart. If I allow God to use me as He Knows best, I win, He wins!

Haggai 2:4 Be strong, all ye people of the land, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts.
Matthew 28:20 lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Psalms 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

This particularly missionary journey that I’ve been on for the last 9 months has been so fun. Yes it’s been a sweaty, smelly journey at times 🙂 but that only adds to the experience!
Here are a few of the ways I’ve enjoy myself along the way:

From alysahalteman.theworldrace.org
Chillin in waterfalls in Ecuador. Yes it was COLD!