Missionary mom - super hero?

Recently my boys had spirit week at their school. I worked at the school on Super Hero day, so I went dressed as one of my super heroes, Elisabeth Elliot. During the five years that I have lived on the mission field, in Santiago, Chile, with my husband and three children, I have read a couple of Ms. Elliotʼs books, my favorite being “The Savage My Kinsman.” Towards the end of the book she shares the idea that you must remember who God sent you (as a missionary) to love, because thatʼs how you're going to survive the harshness of the mission field. It made me think, “What people has God sent me here to love?” It was not always clear to me, because as a woman, wife and mother, I found myself being pulled, pushed, forced, or placed in a box, according to what others thought or believed my role should be on the mission field. I became confused and felt guilty. It was assumed His specific plan and purpose for me was to be wife and mother and why would there be anything else? I believed there was something else—not something more—just something else, something that was beautifully and spiritually intertwined with all the roles that God has blessed me with to play out for His glory.

For a long time, it was hard to see Godʼs way and plan, but my faith, at the very least, told me He was with me. So the other day, as I dressed up as my super hero Elisabeth Elliot, who went before me, I was reminded of what God has done and what He has taught me and to what my eyes are now open to and my heart is at peace with. I am a mother and wife, and I love being both. But I am also the daughter of a King, who calls us all to love and serve Him and those He sent His Son to die for and how He calls us looks different for each of us.

I remember the day that God reminded me who He sent me here to love. Four young girl skaters came to our house to watch a girl skate video. I served pizza. One of the girls didnʼt eat pizza, so I warmed up leftovers for her. She was the one who came back to our home a couple of weeks later, and then she came back again and again. She continues to come over, we chat about God, life, and baking while drinking coffee together. Then she will go play with my children or have a dance party with us, and chat with Habacuc about photography. And each time, I am reminded of how Godʼs purpose for me and the roles Heʼs given me are so beautifully and spiritually intertwined.