Having been raised in a missions-minded family I've been taught to consider where I am... right now... as my "mission field"- and I have always taken that seriously. I believed that God had purposes for me in my school district when I accepted the position to serve this elementary school as a speech-language pathologist. As challenges arise, however, and as difficulties in life occur, and as stress surpasses manageable levels, it is easy to become discouraged and lose sight of the "bigger picture" of the work that I'm doing in the lives of my precious children. And it was a time like this, when I needed some confirmation that God had chosen me to work at my school with my children to further His kingdom.
So, God sent me to Ecuador. Since last December, I've been searching for an opportunity to GO and to go ANYWHERE for the summer of 2012! After several mission trip opportunities fell-through for the summer, and after June and July nearly passed, a trip to Ecuador was finally planned. While journeying across the country of Ecuador, and experiencing a few days worth of the food and culture, I "scouted-it-out" as a possible country to serve full-time in the near future doing mission work. The experience was great, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to see Geoff and Jamie in this country they love so dearly!
But, immediately upon my arrival back to the States, it became so clear to me that Ecuador is not my "mission field". My heart is with my kids... MY kids... at MY school. This is my mission. This is where God has called me for now. I'm providing speech-language services to special education students who need a voice, and who need someone to love them, and who so desperately need to experience the mercy and love of our great God. And that's what I get to do! I get to love them as Christ loves me!
7 comments:
Caryn, what a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your heart. Those sweet children are blessed to have you, and I know you are blessed to be with them.
Caryn, you are serving our God so well I am so proud of you. Happy
Caryn, you dont know me but the rest of your family does. HA I enjoyed reading your blog. My grandson had speech problems & had to have speech therapy. It has changed his life. He is not the little shy boy he was before his speech therapy. I feel your profession is a God send blessing to so many families. Keep up the good work. And yes where you are IS your mission field.
Thank you, Caryn, for reminding me that although the daily stresses seem almost unmanageable at times, the bigger picture is that we are still on a mission. I appreciate you, sweet daughter!
Keep on keeping on. You're doing a great job!!
Love you Caryn! You're doing an excellent job of listening for God's direction in your life...something we all need to do.
You all are just so sweet and encouraging! Thanks for your kind comments! :)
This is really cool to read. It seems really easy to think that God wants us to do something really big and grand in this life for Him. And sometimes it becomes easy to potentially miss out on the nuggets of blessings that he has bestowed upon us here and now. Keep up the awesome work and continue pursuing Jesus and the Father in all that you do.
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