Passing of the Baton

I have to admit, when my grandmother said she wanted to go to Africa, I didn't take much notice. Her decision didn't effect my ten-year-old world, but little did I know how much it actually altered everything I would choose to live my life for.

It wasn't until the Lord took her home ten years later that I began to show an interest. Not outwardly yet, for I was walking down paths leading away from God. But something about her death turned my head back just enough to see the impact my grandmother's life had on people.

When my own mother left for Africa to carry on Grandma's vision, I found myself thrown into her shoes as the daughter left behind (whether I wanted to or not!). I never understood why Mom always said that she knew when good things were happening in Africa because the enemy had a way of taking out his anger on the family at home. Well, let's just say those were the longest six weeks of my life, but for the first time since I can remember, I found myself on my knees crying out to God for HELP! God can use all things for good, including my helpless situation. He took what the enemy intended to use to break down and destroy my family, and changed it into a defining moment so that I would die to myself, come home to Jesus, and glorify Him once again! Praise God!

My grandmother loved people. Without love we can do nothing, but you only have to look at lives like hers to see how much love can impact people. Every day my grandmother surrendered her life to Jesus and chose to be obedient to what He called her to do, but most of all she loved people. It never mattered how hard or uncomfortable a situation got, she still shared the word and introduced Jesus Christ to whoever He brought across her path, whether she was in Africa or here at home.

That's what being a missionary means to me. A love for people, the faithful courage to reach out to those people, and always, ALWAYS, point them towards Jesus! God is Awesome! Amen!

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Yvonne Mudge