Undercover Missions

Before I delve into my chosen topic of the night, I'd like to explain my recent prolonged silence. After losing our last baby, and having a D&C, I was originally diagnosed with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease. However, the pathologist said there seemed to be something different about my slides. Something didn't quite match up, so they sent them on to Johns Hopkins to be analyzed by a doctor who is on the cutting edge of research with patients who exhibit similar symptoms. My hcg was monitored every two days for a few weeks and then weekly for many months. The numbers didn't fall as quickly as they should have and then even began to rise. I was prepared for chemo and a long ordeal with the potential of a hysterectomy. But by the grace of God, Johns Hopkins gave me a different diagnosis, one that is exceptionally rare (or perhaps very rarely diagnosed) and is much less serious. This doesn't explain all of the issues, but it was enough for my doctor to allow me to get pregnant again and hopefully deliver a healthy child before my insurance runs out this summer. And so, I am now almost done with my first trimester, we've seen the heart beat, and things are looking up.

I enjoyed learning a lot more about advanced science and the study of chromosomes during this process. Emotionally, I've experienced miscarriages before, and so, though it was difficult, I completely understand that it is all out of my hands. My doctor and I had many discussions about the complexities of my medical problems and even more so the miracle of life. I greatly appreciated her insight and the few lunches she gave up just to sit and talk with me. During this process, she reawakened my love for science and medicine which I put on the back burner my third year of undergrad. And she very earnestly encouraged me to apply to medical school as a non-traditional student. I thought it was probably a long shot since I've been out of the biological sciences for so long, but after meeting with MSU CHM admissions, I was floored. Never before has God opened a door so wide. I was told my chances of getting in are very good and he asked me to apply early admission! AWESOME! Go God! To be honest, I'm not in yet. I have not applied and still have to take my MCATs. I'm going to take a few years to take some advanced biological science classes so it is all fresh in my mind, allow my young children to get a few years under their belt, and then apply just after my MCATs are finished.

But what does this have to do with undercover missions? Derik and I firmly believe that what we do now will be greatly enhanced as we both become doctors - mental health for him, physical medicine for me. Many of you reading this actually don't know a lot about our family. I know - hard to believe - but we aren't very social! Partly because we don't have much time and hold very busy schedules, but also because we are on a mission. No, we don't do a lot at church. No, I'm not a big shopper and don't have a thing for fashion or home decorating, so I rarely participate in shopping adventures. I actually loathe movies - so that's out too. And Derik works a couple of jobs - counseling combat veterans and teaching for GVSU's grad school. So connecting with others our age, happens only on occasion. You'd be surprised about how many people have come up to us at church and said in not so many words, and sometimes straight out "You should really be more involved in missions!" We just chuckle.

What exactly is missions? Yes, the most obvious answer is - missions consists of missionaries who are sponsored by local churches and go out into other countries to preach the good news. Yup. That's true. I've also been told that missions is taking care of those who are in need in the church. And while I've been the recipient of wonderful meals for a week or two after a baby is born and GREATLY appreciate the help, I'm not exactly convinced that is missions. I'd characterize it more as congregational care - which is important, but not missions. Then there are events sponsored by local churches for the community - most of which require needy people/families to come to a church for food, clothes, services, etc. This may border on missions, but I'd classify it more as community outreach. So what is missions?

Matthew 28:19-20

"¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” "

Mark 2:13-17

¹³ Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. ¹⁴ As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

¹⁵ While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶ When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

¹⁷ On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

If we use these two references to guide our thoughts on missions, we can determine that the first command is to "go" or in some versions, "go out". So, to truly be a missionary, you need to take a step out of your home and out of your church. Secondly, we are called to reach the sinners - to eat with them, talk with them, and make inroads into their lives. Now, I am in no way advocating going to your local bar to hang out on the weekend to make friends. But it is our family's mission to walk and talk with people that are swamped by sin. They may be addicted to drugs or alcohol. They may be extremely promiscuous and make very poor decisions rearing children. Often they look very different than we do. They aren't necessarily our next door neighbors. They may have a problem with theft and anger. And in almost every single instance, they are all recipients of abuse. Their stories are frequently very sad and filled with horrific experiences beginning in their childhood. And the very last place they want to be is church. The very last thing they want to hear is that a loving God allowed all of this evil to take place in their lives.

In light of this, we have decided to practice undercover missions. Even though I may be very vocal about my faith at church and even online, when my husband and I operate covertly with those who most need Christ, our first objective is to sincerely care, listen, and walk along side of them. As we listen, they listen. As we show them we care, we can then explain why we care. I believe that there is absolutely nothing more that God cares about than a person's soul. He desires for each and every one of the lost to come to know him as Lord and Savior and to truly love Him. So many people are afraid of church traditions. When do I stand up? When do I sit down? What is this new language that they use in services? Will I be rejected if I don't dress correctly? Or what if I accidentally curse as I'm so accustomed to doing? Church can be VERY STRESSFUL for those people who think they have to fit a certain mold. So, for this reason, we generally don't bring anyone to church unless they request it. I don't recall anywhere in the Bible where Jesus went out and recruited people to come to Synagogue. It just isn't there. Instead people are called to acknowledge their sins, repent, and turn from their wicked ways. To understand they need a savior and that the only one who can save their soul is Jesus Christ - God himself.

Missions isn't a onetime event. And success cannot be measured by us. It is God who knows and sees the heart of man. Missions isn't something we do to garner attention. It is something we do out of love for our God and out of love for our lost brothers and sisters. Missions is not a glamorous calling. It is something that will lead you into trailer parks, laundry mats, and even stinky flea infested homes.

I've heard the argument that going into these kinds of places is dangerous - after all we choose not to live there for a reason. Yes, it is true. But my soul is saved! What do I have to lose? Isn't it more dangerous to do nothing and turn a blind eye while their souls rush into hell? Do you not understand what hell is? That it is eternal? We have one opportunity - our life on earth - to commit our life to the Lord and to spread the Good News. That's it. You don't get to go to Heaven and begin missions then! If your child wasn't saved, wouldn't you want to move mountains to reach them and give them the truth? Maybe your children are saved, but not all of God's children are and he desires for not one to be lost!

Now, in all of this, our family is not perfect. We are not professional missionaries, and generally don't even talk about what we do with friends or extended family. But I would encourage you to reconsider your idea of missions. There are many excuses why people don't personally reach out into their communities, but do any of them leverage weight against hell? We recently ran into people who didn't even realize that we have homeless youth in Oceana County. We also have many youth who are the victims of incest. Dad's who rape their daughters regularly and have fathered children with them. Child abuse in this county is out of control! Drug abuse is in the same category. We have elderly who are too proud to ask for help, live very lonely lives, and go hungry and cold far too often. Do you know your neighbors? Okay, you probably know your immediate neighbors, but do you know the people who live in the trailer park down the street - or perhaps the "freak" who constantly walks past your home with nothing to do. Yes, I recently had a student tell me that people yell "freak" at him as he walks by a certain stretch of road. He's different, perhaps dangerous in certain situations, and yet - loved by God. I'm not going the leave my children with him unattended, but I'm not going to turn my back on him either.

Do you not realize that within 15 miles of your home serious evil takes place? The devil is making inroads into the hearts of children. He's searing their souls and claiming them as his own. He's with the elderly on their death beds lying to them - telling them they are unloved and it would be better to die. But hell lies in waiting. We are all called to be undercover missionaries. To speak truth and love into the lives of these people. The devil is not the only one who has a voice. We do too, and even if it may seem to fall on deaf ears, walking along side of the needy, forgotten, broken hearted is never in vain. Your children learn by your example. If you isolate yourself and live in a world full of Christians, abundance, and safety, then what are you teaching your children? We deal with some very interesting people, and yes, it is possible to teach your children to be discerning. Everyone who comes to our door, is not allowed inside. Often, you find Dad and send him out!

Also, I should mention that missions isn't about giving people money or stuff. There are certainly times when we provide warm clothes, food, etc, but often anonymously though other people. It is important to make sure a person's basic needs are met, but it undermines God's purpose in their lives to enable sinful behavior. We're not an ATM machine for our kids or for the poor. Boundaries are crucial when it comes to missions. Establishing boundaries is not only important for the giver, but also for the receiver.

Nevertheless, having a close personal relationship with God and following His leading should always be your guide. Just as we don't parent all of our children the same, we don't interact with every non-Christian in the same fashion. No one is perfect, sometimes we fall flat on our faces in relationships with people - or at least we think we have. But nothing can replace a genuine love for people and a sincere fearfulness for their souls. I admit, I love sinners - the really good sinners! They are so raw and honest. They do what makes them feel good, yet if you get right down to it, most of them hate evil. They've experienced way too much of it in life. My heart yearns for them and my soul pleads for their salvation. I interact much better with them than most Christians.  I really love sinners, but at the same time I hate sin. I tell my students at school that no, I'm not "fun". I haven't done drugs. I don't drink. I don't smoke. I don't swear. I don't party, and I don't even listen to "cool" music. And once they realize who I am and that I sincerely care about them, it all doesn't really matter anymore. I've had my share of suffering, and I'll share those stories on individual basis. So, I'd encourage you to step out of your home, out of your church and into those places you wouldn't normally go and talk and walk with others who desperately need to know Christ. You don't have to have a lot in common with them. You just have to see them as God sees them.