you are now entering your mission field

Going to a Bible college with a missions emphasis, I have often heard the phrase "You are now entering your mission field" (mostly thanks to Mr. Trainer). Though I have heard that phrase hundreds of times, I never let it become real to me.

Until this week.

I guess I should start at the beginning.

Monday was a repeat of the past two weeks—breakfast, choir practice, accountability groups, lunch, then—CAMPERS! Like every week, I was a little apprehensive of meeting my new campers (I know I seem really out going, but there is a shy side to me . . . I promise). This week was a smaller week (4-5 campers per cabin & 4 guy counselors without cabins at all) & I was selfishly looking forward to getting a little rest. I mean, how hard can it be? Four junior campers. I had 7 teens!


Boy, was I wrong.


My four campers were FULL of life. I know what you’re thinking, “Well, Lynnae, you got campers just like you!” But that’s not true! If you would have known me as a junior camper, you would never have thought I would be as outgoing as I am now!


Anyway, we had tons of fun this week (as we should, after all, it is camp!). I had prayed before the week began that God would (1) teach me where to change & (2) that I would be able to lead someone to the Lord.


He granted one of my requests.


The one that reminded me to “be careful what you wish for.”


Early in the week all of my girls gave clear salvation testimonies, so I knew that my second request would have to wait for the next camp week. But my desire to change? Yeah, God granted me that one.


My full of energy, hyper girls tried my patience. My fuse was short & sometimes, before they even started making noise, I was ready for them to be quiet. By Tuesday night it became very apparent where I needed to change—I needed patience.


But I didn’t learn my lesson right away. In fact, it took most of the week for me to open my eyes & see where I needed to change.


The week was filled with a variety of interesting, trying, & hilarious experiences. “Nap time” was filled with giggling girls & ‘Aunt Nae Nae’ would have them cover their mouths & face the wall. Jaw breaker suckers & coffee gave the girls extra energy (& subsequently more giggles), but overall, we had tons of fun, but Aunt Nae Nae was tired & short tempered.


Thursday & Friday were filled with small trials, adding to my irritant spirit. By Friday night, sadly, I just wanted to make it through.


That’s when God grabbed me & showed me the lesson He had been trying to teach me all week.


As the choir returned to their seats, Mike led the congregation in a song. The words cut me to the heart:

Let me see my mission field,
All around each day,

Fill my heart with Jesus’ love,

Use me, Lord, I pray.

As I sang I finally opened my eyes and looked around me. Those four hyper, bubbly girls were my mission field & I had missed it all week. Rather than focusing on how I could be an encouragement to them, I had been consumed with making sure they were conforming to my satisfaction.


My heart changed at that moment. My focus altered & I was ashamed. After 3 years of Bible college, I had missed one of the most important messages: “You are now entering your mission field.” This was the ministry I prayed for & that God so graciously gave me. And I let Him down.


Now on the wall next to my bed, where I can see it as soon as I wake up, is a little 3x5 card that says “You Are Now Entering Your Mission Field” to remind me each day that God has given me the mission field I asked for.