I remember one Sunday morning when I was four years old a man made a presentation in front of our congregation about his travels as a missionary. I got to sit by my mom who operated the old disk slide projector and we watched as he described the situation of the people he visited. The church I grew up in, a Faith Evangelical Missionary Church, often had visitors similar to this one and I always took particular notice in their stories. At that age I didn't recognize exactly what I was feeling, but I have come to realize that a sensitivity began to stir in me towards those less fortunate.
When I was young I seemed to make a habit of turning on the television Sunday mornings specifically to catch the weekly episode of World Vision. Despite the fact that they were often the exact same episode every single week for years, despite that fact that they spoke of injustice and poverty, despite the fact that I would sit on the floor with welling tears I watched with an untouched remote beside me. I liked seeing the moments when the children would be standing together with their families with nothing but each other, young girls carrying babies half their size; I liked to see the boys playing soccer knowing that was the only toy they probably had and mostly I loved seeing the faces full of hope because of support given to families and their communities. I was fascinated, and admired the courage and the strength of such people. Throughout my entire life I have discovered a great passion for children, especially those who are disadvantaged or those who suffer injustice. My mind is ravenous for ways to reach them, to somehow help.
In the spring of 2007 I went on a missions trip to El Salvador and discovered a rich people of culture and of course children popping out of every bush and from around every corner; longing for attention and love. I was filled with great hope that perhaps right there God could make a lasting difference in their lives through me as a figure of love and of light. In response to God's recent nudging I began searching and praying for an organization that could help me explore where my mission field may be. I chose to be with AIM because of their high emphasis on relationship. I like being able to determine my ministry once I arrive; this removes pressure to make uninformed decisions. I am excited to be going to Africa, and am very encouraged with how Adventures in Missions operates as an organization.
2 Corinthians 5.20
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ. God making his appeal through us."
Acts 10
-jenessa lynn
