Comfortably Uncomfortable

Comfortably uncomfortable

Ever considered being a missionary? Now I have. (Mom, pretend you didn't read that)

My HIZ group had the opportunity of shadowing and getting to know 3 young missionary families in Tanzania last week... The families of David Reese, Nathan Thomas, and Jonathan Strasser. Our days were spent in villages, houses, and markets. Our nights were spent eating dinner with and learning from the missionaries. Lemme tell ya... They're great.

Being comfortably uncomfortable is something they've gotten used to. They've been there in Mbulu for less than 2 years and have had to learn two very different languages: Swahili and Iraqw. Most people they interact with don't speak much English, so that adds a whole new element of difficulty to evangelism. But to know that God is global in ALL languages is a great comfort.

Before we came to visit, I had great expectations. It's not that those weren't met, but they were met differently than I expected. I assumed we'd come to see these profoundly pious, unapproachable masters of evangelism who led fire and brimstone Gospel meetings with dozens of converts every week. Little did I know, that's not how it works at all.

They. Build. Relationships.

That is key. Many of the Iraqw people already know some elements of Christianity, but with distorted views due to lack of instruction and infiltration of traditional religions. Many of the people feel as though they're just fine with the little religion they have, so there isn't just an outpouring of truth seeking. (Note: That sounds a bit like our culture as well, doesn't it? Just pointing out that this is a global problem). Contrary to the emotion-filled gospel meetings I expected, these three guys have one-on-one Bible studies in a language they're still learning. They drive an hour on bumpy roads to a remote village where they make an effort to socialize and greet everyone there. They go on extensive walks just talking with the Iraqw people. They stuff themselves with unusual foods and drinks that are provided in abundance for them as guests.
(The hospitality of the Iraqw people is far beyond any American household I've been in. They have little yet they give much. But that's another story.)
They (back to the missionaries again) struggle for weeks trying to explain foreign concepts in new languages. They have to be on their toes all the time, able to tell parables and show love & mercy in any situation.

I believe life is truly experienced OUTSIDE of one's comfort zone. Let's be real- always being comfortable gets boring sometimes. That's a lesson I've been learning the past few weeks, and it's a lesson the missionaries are living.

A carpenter, a youth minister, and a master's graduate make up the men of this team. Each one having different strengths, weaknesses, and personality qualities makes them an awesome team. Wisdom, charisma, knowledge, integrity, and intentionality just pour from the hearts of these men. And a huge shoutout to their wives for the daily and long-term sacrifices they make: from stressful market shopping, to caring for their kids, to being a motherly Christian figure to neighborhood children, they know how to work hard and get things done, all the while shining a light of Christ.

Wanna know the good news? You can do this too. It doesn't take a 5-star graduate degree from a prestigious doctoral program to become a missionary. These guys and girls are humans just like you and me. They have good days and bad days. They burn cookies and fart and stub their toes too. They miss their families. They make mistakes. But by golly, by the glory of God, they get up every time they fall. They are persistent to learn Iraqw. They bounce back from their mistakes and come back still on fire for God's mission.

We can all do that by the power of the Holy Spirit. Not one person is inadequate enough to spread the Gospel of Christ and God's love for His people. We all have different gifts, but are part of the same body. We all have a special function that only we can do best.

Church, the world needs you.

The poverty-stricken family of 10 in a village 80 kilometers from the nearest town needs you. The rich European who drinks himself into depression needs you. Your neighbor needs you.

But before you get too confident, know that it's not really you that they need. It's God. But YOU are able to share that message. YOU are able to help God in the Great Commission. It's called a CO-MISSION for a reason. You + God. And YOU are able to step out of your comfort zone by the power of the Spirit within you. It's time we learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, church... because that's the way we are called to live. Whether it's 7 steps or 7,000 miles, I beg you. Share the message. Be intentional. Spread the love. Bring glory and honor to Him through your actions and words, no matter how uncomfortable it makes you.

I don't know if I'll be a long term missionary. Or even a short term one. But I do know that I will strive to adhere closely to all that I've said here by living missionally wherever God leads me.

I'll leave you with a quote by one of the missionaries, Nathan Thomas.

"If those who want to go don't, then who will?"

Bless & be blessed,
Drew