Where's my passport? Do I have my visa? How about my government issued ID, along with a four-generation pedigree chart and at least $50 USD in cash ($25 in each shoe-thanks for the tip mom!) I've looked up at least a million Pinterest boards for tips and tricks. What do I need to pack? How much shampoo do I bring? Don't forget your toothpaste: an 18-month supply, that is. Thankfully, my dad is a ninja and also happens to be an expert packer. After rolling my shirts, tucking socks into shoes, and splitting my clothes into separate bags in case one gets lost… we have successfully packed up my life in only two suitcases.
Tomorrow morning at 4:30am I am heading to the airport. There, I will say goodbye to my parents. For a year and a half. The next time I will get to talk to them {live} will be over Skype on Mother's Day and Christmas - Assuming I have good enough internet connection. - Until then, I can only contact them and everyone else back home via email once a week (yay for Missionary Mondays!) Again, assuming I have internet connection.
After 20 total hours of travel time I will arrive in Lima, Peru at the MTC (Missionary Training Center). I will spend the next 6 weeks in Peru for my language and gospel training. There I will also meet my first teaching partner *we call them companions* who I will be living and working with. She could be from anywhere in the world, also called to serve in the Cochabamba Bolivia mission! Because I am serving a spanish mission, I will have a snazzy little name tag that says Hermana Simmons.
Hermana=Sister in Spanish.
The name tag explains my identity and new calling - a representative and spokesperson for Jesus Christ.What is a Mission?
Whether you are a student, working-class citizen, OR James Bond, everyone has a mission.
A focused and consistent effort needed to obtain a desired goal; a specific purpose driving your actions. The student works to receive their educational degree. The employee earns money to support their family. James Bond had a mission to be a boss, fight bad guys, and save the world.
Accomplishing any type of mission comes with a sacrifice. A cost.
Trading what is comfortable and convenient for the unknown. the difficult. uncomfortable.
But that is also the beautiful thing about a mission.
Having a specific purpose to drive your actions will make the unknown, the difficult, and the uncomfortable ALL worth it. My mission in Bolivia will be to introduce the name of Jesus Christ and invite people to learn more about Him and His ministry on Earth. Not just to be informed; my message brings with it a sense of deeper understanding and perspective for the ultimate purpose of our lives, and what we can do to fulfill our greatest potential.
As a missionary, our purpose is to:
"invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end."
Why would you WANT to do this?
It's not a vacation; I'm taking a break from school, track, and my social life… but not for "me" time.
I won't be sight seeing or taste-testing… no relaxing, chillin' or hangin' out for me.
I will be walking the {dirt} streets of Bolivia, sometimes 10+ miles per day.
Both in the modern cities and extremely poor towns, I will talk to everyone I see.
People will be busy; Others will smile politely, but won't be interested in my message.
I will be rejected. The very beliefs I hold so close to my heart will be mocked.
But a few will listen.
And those few will be worth it.
Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ is the specific purpose driving my actions.
it is my mission.
I have accepted the call to “Teach all nations” (Matt 28:19-20) This call, this eagerness to share the message of the restored gospel through Christ’s love and Heavenly Father’s plan did not come as a feeling of spiritual obligation.
My desire to share the gospel came as a result of testing what I had been taught.
Research, asking questions, and praying for confirmation were all things that helped me to know that these things were true.
In a world of skepticism, fear, and hate… there is also p e a c e .
Light and joy can overcome darkness; it is up to us to be the light.
I am so grateful for the perspective and h a p p i n e s s that comes from knowing we have a Heavenly Father, and he sent His Son personally to redeem us and help us come back to Him!
I have ideas of what it will be like. Expectations about
living in another country. Away from home. Away from electronics and connection
to my family. Giving up school, my athletic scholarship and training, my
social life and friends for a year and a half. Living without the things we consider necessities, but
which are only {dreamed} about in the poverty-stricken towns of Bolivia.
I have faith, I have hope,
and I have the positive expectation that
my experience will be far greater than I could even imagine.
I am stepping into the unknown.
But I am stepping with
confidence… right in stride with my Savior Jesus Christ.
BOLIVIA HERE I COME!!!!
