The Mission Field

A couple from our church left Monday for full time mission work in Belize. Their story is an amazing one.

Nelson's Dad and StepMother have already been in Belize for eight years. They care for girls who have been abused in horrible ways. Our church found the Dad and StepMother a little over a year ago and linked up with them to help out where and when we could. His Dad had been praying for Nelson and his wife to come to Belize to help out in the mission. Nelson said he'd help by building a website for his Dad from his home in New York. In the meantime, Nelson and his wife moved to Florida and happened to come in to our church one day. Imagine their surprise when a photo of Nelson's Dad appeared on the screen!

After Nelson shared this story on Sunday, my DS 2 said he wanted to go back to Belize. He and DS 1 were there on a mission trip a few years ago. And he said, "Mom, have you ever even been on a mission trip?" I replied, "You mean out of the country?" I told him that I had not been out of the country on a mission. He said, "Awww, Mom, you HAVE to go!" I told him I might someday. But I also reminded him that I AM on a mission field every single day!

I choose to work at my specific school. Is it the "worst" school in our town as far as poverty and need goes? No. But it's one of the schools with a very high percentage of students and families in need.

I've been sharing about E. For those of you who have been curious, the goose was simply a connection from home. He actually never "used" it here at school. He simply threw it when the teacher tried to give it to him.

He is from a family that may not be considered "in need" by most. I mean they have financial resources and are well-groomed. Yet it's obvious that Mom, who is quite pregnant, is tired. In fact, I'd go so far as to say she's quite worn out!

Yesterday, I sat in a conference with another Mom who by all outward appearances wouldn't "look" like someone who has great needs. Yet the story she told was about her daughter who has been abused in ways that I cannot repeat here. Suffice it to say, this little girl has a seriously LONG road to healing ahead of her.

Last week, there was the Grandma who does live government check to government check and didn't know how she was going to get school supplies for her little girl.

And, there's the family of NINE grandchildren who have been raised by Grandma and Grandpa who were removed from the home just before school started. While I know several kids in the family, two of them simply stole my heart. I've been mentoring one since he was in second grade. He's in fifth grade this year. Last week he asked me if I'd seen his sister, who is in first grade. You see they were separated in the foster care system and he was so worried about her.

Now, he's been moved from the shelter to an Uncle's house and is no longer at our school. When he left, he asked me to promise to keep my eye on her when she comes. His sister showed up for the first time yesterday with her foster Mom.

And when I think of each of these cases and so many others that I simply cannot relate here a thought occurs to me. While I know it's not some exotic place, I can confidently say, "Yes, I've been on the mission field!"

Where's your mission?