I have a horrible stereotype to admit. When I hear the word “missionary,” I automatically think of a sixty-five year old, frumpy, single woman who doesn’t generally seem terribly happy. I apologize to all of those who might fit this description. It is for this reason that I am a little wary of admitting that I’m a missionary. But besides the sixty-five year old, frumpy, not terribly happy person part, I guess it fits. Which leaves a single woman who is having the time of her life. How many people get to have their dream come true and call it “work?” This is my life! I get to wander across the world, homeless and in need of clean clothes (not all of the time), meeting all sorts of amazing people. What more could I want?
I’ve realized recently that planning a commissioning service is akin to planning your own funeral. This isn’t morbid; it’s actually kind of fun! Just in case you didn’t know, I will be leaving in less than a month to live and work in Romania for at least two and a half years. I’m going with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) as a community development intern. The commissioning service is the send-off from my church the day before I leave. And now I keep getting emails and conversations full of questions about what songs I want to sing, and who I want to preach, and what passage I want preached, and what songs my friend, Melanie, should sing, and . . . you get the idea. My oldest brother may or may not be writing a song for me, and there will be a potluck after the service. Just like a funeral. Along the same lines as this, I recently accidentally told a friend that I was leaving on September 11 “for good.” She immediately said, “You better NOT be leaving for good!” And I backtracked by saying, “Well . . . for good, until I come back anyway.” But I realized later that what I said was true in its meaning. I am leaving for good, aren’t I? I certainly hope so. I’m not leaving “for bad,” right? Anything that’s done according to God’s will must be “for good,” because he is good (not safe, but good). So, I’m leaving for good. I hope you go somewhere for good as well.
Sharon,
I’m so glad you created this. I’m excited to follow what you’re doing.
Comment by Michelle — August 16, 2006 @ 1:18 am
I agree, it’s a bitter-sweet situation creating your own “good-bye” service! We had ours in June, and I have felt very distant from our home church since then. Which in some ways, has been good for preparing us to be away from them. Enjoy it, because it’ll be over in a flash!
Comment by Alison — August 17, 2006 @ 6:58 pm
I had the same stereotype/fear that you had before coming here. But I am happy to see that there is a new breed of missionaries. There are such amazing people here its tough to describe. All I can say is I am proud to say I know all of them, including our fellow European traveller (thats you
)
Peter
Comment by Peter — August 18, 2006 @ 4:35 am
WOW–today is the day! How fun that I would read this on your commissioning! SO…did your brother write a song for you????
Comment by Mary — September 10, 2006 @ 9:18 pm
I laughed so hard when you wrote your stereotype of a missionary. Having been one myself, and feeling the same kind of trepidation about calling myself that, I understand where you’re coming from. And I hope and pray that you don’t fit peoples bad stereotypes of missionaries - that you are simply yourself, loving God and loving life - and open to whatever comes before you.
Comment by Brenda — September 17, 2006 @ 6:45 am