kinghornscalledtoserve2AFRICA: You are NOT on a mission

I was speaking to a loved one the other day about some of the amazing things we have done since we've been in Africa. Her response was, "You are not on a mission."

It got me thinking. What Does it mean to be on a mission?

Wikipedia says " Mormon missionaries—are volunteer representatives of the LDS Church who engage variously in proselytizing, church service, humanitarian aid, and community service."

Let's see then, I AM A VOLUNTEER REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LDS CHURCH. Bruce and I pay our own living expenses while serving as missionaries. We go to the Area Office Monday through Friday for 8 hours each day and receive no financial reward.

We are not proselytizing missionaries, we are Welfare Services Missionaries, which means our primary calling is to do Humanitarian Work, however, we are often asked about the church and what we believe. We carry copies of the Book of Mormon in our car and are happy to share them with those who want to know more. We carry "pass along cards" that have the number of our Mission Office so that people can get in touch with the proselyting missionaries to learn more.

One year ago, March 24, 2014, my husband and I entered the Missionary Training Center and happily placed these black nametags on our shoulders. We wear them everywhere we go. These nametags tell everyone we meet that we are representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Welfare Services Missionaries

I like this definition of a Missionary

“Every missionary experience requires faith, sacrifice, and service, and these are always followed by an outpouring of blessings…And what marvelous blessings they are"

Elder Robert D. Hales

When we told our non-member friends that we were leaving to serve a mission for 18 months they often asked, "How can you leave your family for that long?" Of course it is hard to leave my family for 18 months but I know that the Lord needs Senior Missionaries to do his work just as much as he needs the younger missionaries. The Lord has blessed my life in so many ways. I know the numbers of senior couples who are healthy enough to serve 18 month missions are limited. I would be so ungrateful if I didn't accept this call to serve my Heavenly Father.

We also volunteer our time in the community. We each accept church assignments to be shadow leaders. I attend the Primary and support the Primary President, her counselors and the teachers. Bruce attends Sunday School and Priesthood Meetings and offers support to the leadership.

We visit a local orphanage with other Senior Couples and spend a few hours playing with the children.....

and sometimes we find a quiet spot and just sit and reflect on how much Heavenly Father loves his children.....

I don't know what my friends definition of serving a mission is, but I do know that for me serving a mission HAS required

FAITH

                     SACRIFICE

                                               AND   SERVICE

There have been days when I have felt inadequate

There have been days when I have had to lean on my Heavenly Father for strength to do the things he called me here to do

There have been days that my heart ached for home

However,

I know with a surety that my Father in Heaven knows

He knows every detail of my life

He knows the challenges I have faced, he knows the sacrifices I have made

I know he knows

because in the midst of the challenges, I see his hand in my life

I see it in the  brilliant African Sunsets

I see it in the African bush

Our Heavenly Father has promised he will never leave us comfortless. He filled my aching heart with friends and experiences I will never forget

Faces that will leave an imprint on my heart forever

A mission does require, Faith, Sacrifice and Service

but the blessings that follow are immeasurable

I left my home and family in America with a heavy heart.

But Heavenly Father blessed me with the opportunity to serve and work with the most amazing people. He blessed me with the opportunity to attend the Orange Farm Branch each Sunday.