The Mission Field ?

[retlaw]

So my church sent an experienced missionary (also a former Marine) into a part of Africa that has never heard the name of Jesus before. In fact the village of his destination the kids there had never seen a white man and thought he was a spirit. My church wants to send more people in a followup visit and I'm thinking I may be one of those who need to go. This is not a place accessible by vehicle of any type and I know I can make the hike while many other couldn't. I've also inexplicably lost weight back to my college "playing" weight. But I don't know if I'm being called to this mission or if I'm just wanting to go because I'm like a serious adrenaline junkie who has languished for 18 years behind a desk. What's worse my job is the most meaningless waste of life possible, I only do it because It's all I know how to do to make money. So How do I know if I'm being called for this or if I'm just wanting to go because of some selfish reason.

 

[dysert]

So my church sent an experienced missionary (also a former Marine) into a part of Africa that has never heard the name of Jesus before. In fact the village of his destination the kids there had never seen a white man and thought he was a spirit. My church wants to send more people in a followup visit and I'm thinking I may be one of those who need to go. This is not a place accessible by vehicle of any type and I know I can make the hike while many other couldn't. I've also inexplicably lost weight back to my college "playing" weight. But I don't know if I'm being called to this mission or if I'm just wanting to go because I'm like a serious adrenaline junkie who has languished for 18 years behind a desk. What's worse my job is the most meaningless waste of life possible, I only do it because It's all I know how to do to make money. So How do I know if I'm being called for this or if I'm just wanting to go because of some selfish reason.

I don't know about the "called" thing, but I don't think you have to be called in order to serve as a missionary. (Or else you might consider that we're all called to be missionaries because of the Great Commission.)

Is your spouse on board with it? Do you have the necessary resources? Is your church on board with it. How about the Marine who went before you?

What I'm trying to say is that if all the doors open, it seems to me you should walk through them.

 

[retlaw]

My initial thoughts were gosh, it will cost lots of money, then god slapped my up side my head and made me feel stupid for thinking along those lines. But then I said, yea, you're right, money isn't the issue, my wife is the issue. But when I said something to her she was like "I think maybe you should be the one to go" which shocked me quite frankly. The church is wanting someone to go. This is not one of those "fun missions" where you go build a building or something. This is an untamed politically volatile area, It could be very dangerous.

 

[dysert]

My initial thoughts were gosh, it will cost lots of money, then god slapped my up side my head and made me feel stupid for thinking along those lines. But then I said, yea, you're right, money isn't the issue, my wife is the issue. But when I said something to her she was like "I think maybe you should be the one to go" which shocked me quite frankly. The church is wanting someone to go. This is not one of those "fun missions" where you go build a building or something. This is an untamed politically volatile area, It could be very dangerous.

Well, money may not be *the* issue, but it is an issue. The way I look at decisions like this is to note all the potential roadblocks and see if God knocks them all down. If you can't afford to do it, game over. But if the money is there, then look around to see if there are any other roadblocks still standing. If all the roadblocks have been flattened, there's nothing holding you back.

 

[Kenny'sID]

But I don't know if I'm being called to this mission or if I'm just wanting to go because I'm like a serious adrenaline junkie who has languished for 18 years behind a desk. What's worse my job is the most meaningless waste of life possible, I only do it because It's all I know how to do to make money. So How do I know if I'm being called for this or if I'm just wanting to go because of some selfish reason.

Don't rush into anything because of this but maybe God needs an adrenaline junkie that's sick of the way things are right about now.

I agree on waiting to be called...no need, we have already been called and told to do this very thing in general. You already work for God, and I think he much more often than not lets us do what WE think we might be best at. Makes perfect sense to me anyway.

Besides, sounds like fun. I'm not physically up to it but back in the day I'd probably be all over that if I had the opportunity.

 

[dayhiker]

Sounds to me like your being called to go.