Jonathan Landrum
I first created this site for kicks, but later realized that it would be a good idea to have something like this when I’m overseas. I never imagined it would go this far, though. I actually thought it would just be a repository for pictures and stories from the mission front. But over time this site has developed into an extension of me, becoming an avenue to express my true personality. Through creating this site I’ve discovered myself, and I’ve gotten to know many good friends along the way. But the original intent remains, and the main theme of this site is still my missions work.
Ever since I was a small child I wanted to be a missionary. Our church has always been missions-oriented, and we would regularly have missionaries from Africa and South America visit and tell us all about what’s going on in their ministries. I especially loved the slide shows that some of the missionaries would bring. The heart-warming stories these missionaries told for each picture left me feeling almost home-sick. (I’ve now got my own gallery of pics from the field.) I longed to go to these places and meet these wonderful people. I wanted to tell them that our tiny, little church on the other side of the world cares for them and is praying for them. I wanted to let them know that we are helping the missionary stay in their village. They need to be told that someone cares, that somebody they’ve never met knows about them and wants to help them.
Romans 10:13-15 (KJV)
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
The more I was exposed to these missionaries, the more I began to see the vast importance of missions work. Not only do missionaries tell people that our church loves them and cares for them, they also tell these people about Christ and how much He cares for them. They tell the story of Jesus and His love for the World, a love which He characterized on the cross. Missionaries display this love of God to these people every day as they serve them and help them. Many missionaries take with them medicine and literature. Others take building materials for constructing homes and churches. All missionaries give up their life and their desires in order to serve people. In this selfless giving, missionaries depict the love of Christ.
Mark 16:15-18 (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
I am thrilled to be a missionary. I feel that it is among the highest honors God could bestow on a person. There are times in my life when I’d like to have a “normal” life, but then I ask myself if “normal” would really satisfy me. A wife, a house in the burbs, 2.4 kids, a cat and a dog … it all sounds nice, and that works for most people, but it wouldn’t work for me. Not that I won’t ever get married or have children, or even have a dog, but it will never be “normal.” You know, though, that’s okay with me. Because all I want is exactly what God has for me. Anything else would be rediculous, because I’d never reach my full potential. The only way I can achieve all that God has for me is to follow His plan exactly.
Mark 10:29-30 (KJV)
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
So, yes, I am honored to be a missionary, and all that comes with it. I get to see corners of the globe most people can only dream about. I get to meet people of all kinds of different nationalities, and tell them the wonderful truth that God loves them. How humbling it is, that out of 6.5 billion people, God lets me be the one to lead this person to Christ. I’ve got the rest of eternity to spend with my family, but I only have a short time left to reach these precious souls who have never heard of Jesus.
~Jonathan
Burn this feed.
