Who is a missionary? 1/25/2014

Who is a missionary?                                          1/25/2014

In ~4 months, we will be full time missionaries in Chad.  Who are these people?  Today I am wrestling with the "M word".  Missionaries (and missionary kids) invoke various images for many people. I often find a caricature image being suggested, as though missionaries are either untouchably saintly or just crazy or weird. 

One dictionary describes missionary as a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development.  That’s pretty good but it says more about WHAT a missionary is, not WHO? (or whom?  You can sort that part out).  The more I speak with people about who I am and what I feel called to do, the more entangled I feel in the trappings of a definition.  I'm not a what, I am a "who".

I think the distinction to make here is that missionaries are "normal" people that you know (ok, some more normal than others).  Missionaries are not just actors in distant countries.  We are your friends, family, neighbors.  Me? I am an imperfect guy trying to be the best version of myself in a way that reflects God's light.  Don’t be freaked out by that--  Having faith is nothing to run from.  Its bigger than the box you may want to confine it to.  Christianity isn’t perfection.  Don’t let imperfection of people who follow Jesus keep you from the simplicity of His message. We all sin.  We all fall short.  God loves you anyway.  That makes it really easy to turn to faith in Jesus. You can read/hear the truth and believe it is possible.  The "repent" part can be harder because (1) its a loaded word that scares people AND if you choose Jesus, (2) you will want to turn 180 degrees, face Him, and choose a new path.  That may require you to leave a few things behind.  After years of "hiking" in a new direction, I easily can say I prefer walking in the sun (or Son); Its warmer in every way and that warmth radiates to people around you. Presto: instant missionary. 

So with that in mind, we all can be missionaries. My best advice comes from this borrowed line: "Preach the Gospel always; if necessary use words."  Don’t be creepy or fanatical in a way that is a turn off.  Know your audience.  I can be all things to all people and remain true.  Let your actions speak for themselves.  And guess what? You don’t even have to go away to be a missionary.  Sometimes people may think too narrowly about how they could personally serve.  Even though I feel called to Africa, I like to remember that we can be used anywhere.  The point is to pray and seek God's guidance about how and where you can be an encourager.  

I'm not an expert on her life, but I really like this quote attributed to Mother Teresa because it reminds us that God sends us to serve all over, including our own homes and neighborhoods:  She said, (you can) "Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering, and the lonely right there where you are — in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and in your schools. You can find Calcutta all over the world, if you have the eyes to see. Everywhere, wherever you go, you find people who are unwanted, unloved, uncared for, just rejected by society —  completely forgotten, completely left alone.”

If you aren’t sure where to start your "training" for this path, read a Gospel from the bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) and see what Jesus really teaches.  It may not be the stuff you "heard about"; Its love and not hate.  Go love someone and let it shine. Embrace the "M word".  

Love,

Mason, Kim, Grace (Maddie), & Emmie McDowell

            Psalm 139: 9-10   

                  9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, ¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

This is a recent family photo (Dec 2013 in the U.S.) with some trick photography.  I was in Chad when they took this pic so they taped a photo of my face onto a family friend who served as my "stand in".  Who knew Kim could be funny?  I think I look pretty good in that shirt. 

Why we should go (6.4.13)

 Village in exotic Chad, Africa seeks extremely pale American family for full time residency.  Interested applicants must meet the minimum standards to qualify:

·      You LOVE LOVE LOVE  oppressive heat

·      You are willing to dislike rain for several months and finally wish it would come back soon

·      You have at least 6 recipes for beans and rice

·      You have an aptitude for speaking English slow and loud

·      You enjoy challenging your immune system with mutant strains of virus, bacteria, parasites and worms

·      You feel like Mayberry was too large of a town

·      You are comfortable driving a moto in sand, clay, or water past herds of large horned cattle

·      You think roads should be unmarked, unpaved, and unsafe

·      You like the sound of drums in the night

·      You like the sound of sweeping at dawn

·      You think bugs SHOULD be super loud all night long

·      You can swim faster than a hippo or your swimming partner

·      You believe electricity makes you spoiled, so less is more

·      You are poor at managing money so having no income is a good alternative

That may be a bit of a stretch in some ways but its not too far from reality.

It is true that Chad is a nation with the highest maternal mortality rate in the world and is burdened with poverty, unemployment, illness,  and malnutrition.  However, given the amount of sun exposure, they probably have terrific Vitamin D blood levels.  You just have to look from the right angle to see the balance between good and bad. 

O.k. Despite the not so subtle differences between Chad and the U.S., I found myself drawn to a small village in southwestern Chad.  In the midst of the pain and suffering that is a daily reality, I found welcoming people with huge smiles, children playing and parents doing their best to raise healthy families.  I also felt an inexplicably strong urge to stay.  Bere Adventist Hospital has a tremendous need for willing and able volunteers to join a community of committed missionary expats and locals.  There are amazing families already there who are doing rewarding across the region.  They were the pilgrims and we get to jump in long after the Mayflower crew got things up and running.

I used to wonder how other families did it. How did they "quit" and finally respond to the call? The first step was the hardest, as I convinced myself that the job, house, and money can wait;  After that its just faith and planning.  I do feel like moving to Africa is a calling.  The kind of call that can't be blocked or ignored like a crazy old girlfriend.  Honestly I'm still amazed that I didn’t have to talk Kim into anything.  It was the exact opposite of my marriage proposal when she begged me and I finally caved in and said yes… or something like that.  The details aren’t important.  The point is, I think I had already planned in my head that we were moving to Chad before I returned home.  After speaking with Kim and Maddie and Emmie about my feelings, and praying, and consulting with people we trust, the family actually agreed to make a change.  Our house sold within days of being on the market.  Our belongings are being easily sold too.  The entire process has been…easy.  I'm sure God has a plan for us there and we will face challenges and hardships, I just hope that doesn’t include spiders or olives.

Without a doubt, I am a Christian that sometimes struggles with faith and action. Despite a long, long list of shortcomings, I am focusing on the simplicity of what Jesus called us to do: love God and love others.  And so we are going in June 2014… to Africa, to love and serve in a place where we are needed most. 

Visit us in the U.S., or starting next year in Chad, or online  http://whyweshouldgo.blogspot.com

We will save some beans and rice for you!

Love,

Mason, Kim, Maddie, & Emmie McDowell

            Psalm 139:9-10   

                  9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, ¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.