My eldest daughter, Erica, has always been quite an adventurer. Even from an early age there was talk of her becoming a missionary. I used to cringe at the thought of her going to a far away land; but, I quickly realized that it wasn’t my choice. .
Erica used to play softball many years ago. Her pitching coach at the time, said that Erica could be a missionary on the field. Coach Kay told Erica that you don’t always have to go to a far away land to be a missionary…that she could be a missionary on the field.
Years later, the summer between Erica’s junior/senior year in high school became a turning point in her life. It was when she heard the explicit Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her initial understanding of what it meant to be a Christian was that she needed to go out preaching on the street corners of foreign nations. Erica’s adventurer spirit, met with the passion of the Gospel, was a little scary. Then she found out quickly that was not the most feasible, or effective, way of doing things. Better news, she found out, according to Colossians 3:23 that ALL things can be done as a way of being a mission for God.
This was not her choice! God had chosen Erica to be a witness for Him…to further His kingdom. God wanted Erica to take the road of Acts 1:8.
Missionary: in Erica’s case, it is a person who received power to promote Christianity through everything…even on the field.
Later that same summer, Erica attended the Baylor University Softball Camp. She loved the sport, but more importantly she loved the Lord because He first loved her. While at the Baylor softball camp, Coach Glenn Moore and his staff, not only provided guided softball practice…they also provided an optional Bible study for the girls.
I remember picking Erica up at the end of the week and sitting in the stands with one of my former professors, Dutch Schroeder. We were listening to Coach Moore speak to the families who attended the visitor’s day to pick up our girls. Coach Moore was talking and said there was one young lady who had inspired him, and he continued talking. I wasn’t really listening well. I was busy looking for Erica because I hadn’t seen her all week, when Dutch said that Coach Moore was talking about Erica.
I thought, “How can that be? How would Coach Moore know Erica?”
I heard these girls cheering, and Coach Moore called her up. He asked her to share her testimony, and about what had happened the past week in front of a stadium full of people. She spoke wonderfully!
I had no idea what had happened that past week. Come to find out, Erica had taken advantage of the Bible study…and to be a missionary on the field. By the end of the softball camp, Erica had shared her testimony and helped lead over 40 girls to Christ. She came home from the camp, and made a special cd of Christian music & wrote each girl a letter of encouragement. She also decided that Baylor was where she wanted to go to college…even if she didn’t play softball.
Erica ended up attending Baylor because she was so impressed with Coach Moore & his staff. She was also impressed with the beautiful campus and what Baylor had to offer her. Erica recently graduated in May with a B.A. in religion. She has since become a youth pastor in Austin, Texas at the Austin Stone Community Church. Her time there is completely devoted to working with Middle School and High School students. Her goal is to share and grow in knowledge of the never-ending goodness of the Gospel with these kids. She will be doing that through Bible studies, having awesome paint wars, discipleship, attending church, eating dinner, going to football games, and spending time with students (particularly girls).
Being a missionary “on the field” is definitely her dream job! Erica understands the importance of the eternal gift that God gives us, and she wants to tell all who will listen. This picture totally depicts Erica’s enthusiasm! I know that God is smiling, and saying well done faithful servant.
Now, I’m going to get on a soap box. People don’t have problems sending monies to missionaries in a foreign country; but, some people seem to have problems sending monies (or partnering) with missionaries when they are local. I say missions are just as important locally, as in a foreign country. I’m not just saying that because my daughter has partners, but because God calls us to be witnesses…period.
My husband, and I, are educators in a public system. We don’t make tons of monies, but we have often partnered with local missionaries (RUF), as well as foreign missionaries (MTW). We think it’s important to further His kingdom where we are not able to go. We partnered as little as $25 per month, or $50 per month…if there was a spouse or family involved. It wasn’t much, but nevertheless, the missionaries appreciated it. We now partner with a missionary close to our heart…Erica.
This is what’s important to Erica. It excites her to no end because she first heard the explicit Gospel during her junior year of High School. Since then she has wanted to share the Gospel with everyone, especially those the same age as when she first heard. Erica’s passion is that young students would know Christ as their Savior, redeemer, and friend. She knows the pressures of this world all too well, and she knows what it’s like to grow up in today’s society. Erica also knows that the love of God is better than anything this world has to offer during those years, seemingly good or bad. She wants all of the students she encounters, by the grace of God, to know that as well.
As a new graduate, it’s tough beginning the next chapter in your life. You have been independent for a while at college, but now you throw other factors in as well. Erica wants to be the best missionary possible, but it’s tough being a missionary on the field. The unknown of having to ask others to partner with you, either through prayers or monetary partnering, is frightening. People don’t know you, or maybe they don’t understand the importance of partnering. Some don’t want to make commitments to partnering with local missions. It is very important though.
Erica has had opportunities to do missions in foreign countries as well. She has been to Morocco, and this past summer she went to Israel. She shares a lot of her adventures on her blog called “A Freedom Ringer”. You should check it out, if you have time at http://afreedomringer.wordpress.com/,
Should after reading this blog about Erica and her passion to be a missionary on the field, you may want to check out her link on how to partner with her. It is a safe online link at https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=7ba521 . Any type of partnering is appreciative: prayers, monthly, or end of year/one time gifts that are tax deductible.
Jesus said, “Follow Me!”
Erica stepped up to the plate…being a missionary on the field!
I’m so proud of my missionary for making a difference in His kingdom!
Got questions.org says, “Perhaps the best indication that God does have a sense of humor is that He created man in His image, and certainly people are able to perceive and express humor. Having a sense of humor is the ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is comical or funny. According to this definition, then, God must show an ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is comical.”
Humor has its place in the spiritual life. There are many religious people who tend to take themselves way too seriously. Humor is important because it helps us to understand how God views us and the world.
Please bear with me because I would like to write about a story within a story. I feel that it will be quite humorous…well at least to me, and a few others. I also want to make a disclaimer. I’m going to mention an undergarment in this blog; but, I feel that it’s not too offensive.
I was taking my youngest daughter, and a friend, to see Tim Hawkins and John Branyan. These two gentlemen are great Christian comedians. Their acts make for a night of laughter. I love the fact that they incorporate how God has a sense of humor, and give examples of thus. I laughed so hard, that I literally cried tears of joy.
Prior to the show, the girls and I had gotten some frozen yogurt . On the way to the church, where the show was to take place, my youngest turned and told her friend that I write a Christian blog.
With all seriousness, my daughter’s friend turned to my daughter and said, “Your mom does something with Christian bras?”
There was a pause, and then I began to laugh. I had to apologize because I was really not laughing at her; but laughing at what she said. I loved it! Then I had to expand on what she said.
I told the girls that was a great idea! I mentioned that my oldest is a college student, and that she had left one of the particular undergarments mentioned at our house–while she was home for the holidays. I thought for a moment, and then went on to say that maybe I should write a bible verse on the undergarment upon mailing it back to her.
Then we all laughed about it! What a great idea!
I’m not trying to be disrespectful at all. I’m obviously not really going to make a line of undergarments with verses on them; but, I may surprise my oldest.
I love the verse in Numbers 6:25. It says, “…the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;…” I was thought that would be a great verse to put on the under garment! She loves the Lord with all of her heart, and has a great sense of humor to boot. I think she would think it was hilarious!
A week after we went to comedy concert, I was picking my youngest up from play practice, when I saw her friend’s mom. I wasn’t trying to embarrass her friend; but, I had to recount the conversation that had transpired just a week before.
To my surprise, the mom had a great sense of humor as well. She followed up by saying maybe I should write a verse of protection on the undergarment.
Hmmm! I thought maybe I should write, “God protects us from evil.” ~ 2 Tessalonians 3:3
I’m sorry but I laughed so hard just thinking about it. That was really funny! I thought that the mom may be on to something.
Again, I’m not going into making a line of Christian undergarments; but, what a great laugh I have had recounting the story. I have yet to send my oldest her undergarment back; but, I still plan to do within the next couple of weeks.
Tim Hawkins and John Branyan even talk about how people ask them if God has a sense of humor. They have both said that God definitely has a sense of humor. You will have to catch their show to find out what they have to say, or check out their websites or videos. They are definitely funny boys, and use their God given talents to make many laugh.
I’m thankful God made us in His image, and gave us a sense of humor to make our life here on Earth more enjoyable. His word also states that, “A joyful heart is good medicine,…” ~ Proverbs 17:22.
Why not take advantage of the medicine God speaks of…having a joyful heart? LOL