some things that I have learnt over the years as a missionary mommy

(Originally written as notes for speaking at a Horizon Mom’s Group)

In preparing for this morning blog, I have had so many things on my heart and mind this past week, and have so much that I would love to share with all of you, but we don’t have time in one morning blog to cover it all. So, I have just been praying, that as I was making notes and then as I actually sit here to visit and share write, that the Holy Spirit would guide me, and that each one of you would be encouraged in at least one area of your lives and in your faith. 

One of the biggest lessons that I have learnt is that my children, and my home needs to be the primary mission field of my life. I am still learning every day, as Christ is sanctifying me every day, that: I need to die to myself, take up my cross and follow Jesus, to prove my love to Christ by knowing and obeying His commands, to grow in my personal love & knowledge of God, and to live out the fruits of the Spirit- as He lives in me; as I surrender my life, my emotions, my desires, my time, and my body, as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him.

Training up my children in the way that they should go is not just a memory verse, it is a way of life. And, when I intentionally chose to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh, and to love my family, serve my family, and teach my children (both by example, and by reading and actively studying and applying God’s Word), if I do it for Jesus, and if I do it for God’s glory and for the eternal joy of my children – intentionally preparing their little hearts for eternity AND for living out God’s Word here on earth – if I do that, or at least if I am striving to do that, then I am a missionary in my own home, whether on the mission field or fundraising, or visiting family, or having a time of furlough. And, as I share a few stories, I hope that you will be encouraged, and will take home this thought: YOU are a missionary to your own children, and when you give a cup of water, or comfort in the night, or show the love of God and the fruit that comes from the Holy Spirit, you will receive a reward.

Matt 10:40 says that, “whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink because he is my disciple, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.” I think we can apply this to our children, especially as we intentionally make them Christ’s disciples.

One of my favorite verses for missions, and for the Christian life, and making our homes a mission field, is the verse in James about what true religion is. It is taking care of the orphan and the widow in their distress – which we can practically do in so many ways, within our churches, communities, families, and by either partnering with missionaries or going as missionaries to both preach the Gospel and to practically care for orphans and widows.

But the other half of that verse is often left out, or overlooked when talking about missions- and I think for making our homes a mission field, it is really the key to having a successful ministry in our home, and the key to creating a godly and biblical family culture, which will lead our children’s hearts to know and love God.

Lets read what James says, (and also read a couple of other verses): James chapter 1, starting in verse 25, “But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].

If anyone thinks himself to be religious [scrupulously observant of the rituals of his faith], and does not control his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless (futile, barren).  Pure and unblemished religion [as it is expressed in outward acts] in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit and look after the fatherless and the widows in their distress, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the [secular] world.”

Matthew 16:26 International Children’s Bible (ICB)

^“It is worth nothing for a man to have the whole world if he loses his soul. He could never pay enough to buy back his soul.” – we need to keep that in mind, as we protect our children from becoming polluted by the world.

John 3:16, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (and our children).

*love chapter- love is not irritable – without excuse, He has given us everything that we need for life and godliness.

having a clean house and obedient children doesn’t mean that we are truly loving our families, nor that we are laying down our lives for them, nor that we are making disciples of our own children.

(On Sunday, Pastor Craig read and spoke about) Psalm chapter one. Among other things, it says: 

"And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season;
Its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity]."

If we want for our children’s souls to be rooted in God and in His Word, as the psalm describes, then we have the huge responsibility of providing what their little roots need to grow. Part of our ministry in El Salvador, is to be sustainable through agriculture, and we use aquaponics to grow food. Root systems need nutrients, stability, and sunlight. With ideal conditions early on, roots are able to absorb the nutrients that help them grow and mature - and bear fruit. We have to be intentional in growing and maturing our children in God’s Word, so that they become like that tree.

Another lesson, not only on the mission field of my family, but on the mission field in El Salvador, is the truth and the hope of Galatians 6:9 which says: “We must not become tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time. We must not give up!”

... that's all for now! (When shared in person, we discussed a bit, and then I shared a bit about my husband and I, our childhoods, our calling to El Salvador, and then our vision - and a slide show of what we are doing)... thanks for reading! Be encouraged!

If you want to read more about missions and lessons, check out this other blog post about life in a Ugandan village being a parable that points to Christ and to eternity.