As my internship came to a close and I headed back to Gateway for a week of debrief, I contemplated all the experiences I had and what I had learned. This list is a way for you all to see glimpses of my adventure. The more time I spend on the mission field, the more I realize that being a cross-cultural missionary is much more than a "job", it's a lifestyle. It demands every part of me; physical, emotional, and spiritual. I must be ready for the unexpected and open to what God wants to do through me, because although most times the work can be very fulfilling, sometimes missions isn't fun or easy. Sometimes missions is...
- washing dishes
- organizing a never-ending closet full of donated clothes
- breaking up a fight, "musani ukulwa!" ("don't fight" in Zulu)
- letting my dinner go cold in order to serve others first
- ignoring obnoxious boys tapping on the window while trying to lead a bible study
- sharing my testimony with a group of strangers
- admitting my sin and seeking forgiveness
- waiting
- being prepared to pray at a moments notice
- submitting to my leaders
- experiencing a relationship evolve from "someone who lives in a homeless shelter" to "friend" to "sister in Christ"
- teaching games to a group of homeless Zulu men
- getting made fun of or judged because of my country
- giving away my clothes, because others need them more
- not complaining (even if I had a "right" to)
- being embarrassed because I know I'm not pronouncing Zulu words correctly
- listening without judging
- using all my patience while trying to communicate effectively through a culture and language barrier
- feeling helpless
- passing out bread in the rain
- saying goodbye, which is sometimes the hardest part.
As my internship came to a close and I headed back to Gateway for a week of debrief, I contemplated all the experiences I had and what I had learned. This list is a way for you all to see glimpses of my adventure. The more time I spend on the mission field, the more I realize that being a cross-cultural missionary is much more than a "job", it's a lifestyle. It demands every part of me; physical, emotional, and spiritual. I must be ready for the unexpected and open to what God wants to do through me, because although most times the work can be very fulfilling, sometimes missions isn't fun or easy. Sometimes missions is...
