Too young, Me?

Once I was told that I was too young to become a missionary. “O yes, it is good you want to be a missionary, Heidi.” my pastor said….But you are too young.” I was sitting in the pastor’s office tears in my eyes and wondering. Was Paul wrong when he wrote in his 1st letter to Timothy 4:12 “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” How can it be that I am too young? I was 23 years old, 23!!!! I was getting married and ready to serve God with all my heart. (My father started his ministry at the age of 16) and I had been working as a volunteer for 3 years, I even met my husband in the mission so I knew a little of what was expected of me. With the strength of the youth and support from my family and friends I left for the Philippines. That’s 13 years ago.

Now I look back, 17 years since I first landed in Manila, with 3 wonderful children, a mission and a church…. Oh Yes, God can use the young, in big or in small ways. The young learn as they walk and they are eager to scout new areas and new ways to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to help the poor and unfortunate. The older teach the young the way they shall go by their wisdom, and pray for them…. What would happen if I followed this pastor? What if I stayed in Norway? Would all these people be helped, saved and learned to Christ? I am not a preacher, but I am a person of action, I leave the preaching to my husband….or people who knows about that kind… I will listen and learn. I have other ways to show Gods love….. Daniel, my youngest son, used to get his old clothes from his cabinet. He wanted to give to the other kids in the church. (Sometimes even new clothes…) He loves to be the one to hand out the give-a-ways in our Christmas parties or when we are supported with food and gifts from abroad. Tabitha, my 6 year old daughter always finds something to give to her friends or classmates….. That’s a missionary! They are not too young to reach out to the poor. James 2: 15-17 suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. It reminds me of what my dearest friend Jay said , when his 10 year old daughter died, he said; “She was a missionary, even now, after she left us to be with Jesus”. Yes, she was. Dorcas Dane used to teach the kids on the street the memory verses she learned and inviting them to join her in Sunday school and she loved to sing songs about Jesus and spreading joy around her. No, she was not too young. And even though she died young, her death brought eternal life to others. She did not die without bringing people to God.- That’s a missionary…and a young one too!!!!! We are only human, with a lot of weird wirings, but still created perfectly in His image, loved dearly by Him. God can use you as long as you are willing. You don’t need to memorize hundreds of bible verses and know how to preach, sing or even teach. Just reach out to someone who needs your help. For example; if your mother needs you to wash the dishes? Your friend needs help fixing his bike? Your sister need help moving her cabinet? Or one of your classmates needs your help with assignments or project? Are you willing to be a Jesus person? What do you think Jesus would do in this situation? All of us are missionaries, in one way or another, good or bad!!!? We are missionaries in our house with our families or at the school with our friends. Or when we are talking to our neighbor or “the man on the bus”. As long as we Spread the love of Jesus…. We are missionaries. In the Philippines or abroad, God can use YOU… Think about that!!!!! ”Don’t be shy”!!!! :-) Regards from Heidi Fai Enconado