In our culture, the word "missionary" scares some people off (even other Christians) because often times missionaries are seen as "super Christians," the "Jesus Freaks" who are excited about traveling to new places and have no connection to their home culture. Missionaries are the people who have the whole Bible memorized (or at least the New Testament). Missionaries are fearless.

I know this because I used to think the same thing about missionaries. I never considered myself to be a missionary because I had missionaries on a pedestal that only the "Christian elite" could stand on. My missionary worldview changed, however, when I had the opportunity to spend the summer overseas with some American missionaries. I learned a lot of things on that trip, and the biggest lesson was that I saw the missionary families as normal people. I learned that the missionaries live a regular life like we do in the States, but they have the challenge of learning a whole new culture and how to live and raise a family there. Inside the home you can do things the American way, but what about when you step outside the door? How do you embrace the culture so you can build relationships with the people while keeping your home roots? Or will you be the missionary who completely forgets her American way of doing things so you can fully accept the way of doing things in that culture? These are just some examples of questions that a missionary asks. I've been back in the States for almost four years now and I reflect back on my time overseas often. One of the things I've learned back home after living briefly in another country is this: If I don't first understand my own culture how will I expect to understand another culture?

I don't call myself a missionary because in most countries the word "missionary" does not translate well. The word "missionary" has become a westernized word that I believe describes every Christian, but since people have a hard time seeing themselves as a "missionary" because of the myths above, I prefer to be called Molly, the girl who loves Jesus and wants the world to know Him.

I have become attached to Texas. I admit that I can be very proud when talking about the Lone Star State. Texas has a lot to be thankful for and proud of. When I was younger I could not see myself ever leaving my neighborhood or hometown, but something happened as I got older. My worldview changed. I began to travel and see more of the world, and I left my heart in new places with new people. No longer do I look at the highway by my house and shake with fear to drive on it. No longer am I afraid to travel on my own to another city. No longer am I scared of the adventures that God invites me to experience with Him.

I do not have the Bible memorized. I can paraphrase parts of it. I am thankful for the foundation that God gave me in my Christian home and with my church family. However, regardless of my years in the church, I am not a perfect Christian or a Bible Scholar. As much as I wish I was a Bible expert, I am not even close.

I am not fearless. I am a coward. I am afraid of new things. I am so, so far from fearless.

But I love Jesus, and He helps me lay aside my fears for His sake.
You see, I'm just a normal human being who desires for a higher purpose than myself.
It is because of my desire to do more that God was able to open my heart for what moves His heart.

The fact that there are people who have not heard the name of Jesus and that God wants a relationship with them makes me want to travel all around the world to tell them! Because this isn't about me, my insecurity, my bravery or my sense of adventure. This is about God and His glory and the fact that He is worthy of being known and worshiped all over the world.

And even if I wasn't going overseas, my life would be lived as one sent on a mission. Because we're all sent on a mission, and we are given gifts and have a passion for something. All we have to do is connect our passions to a people that God created and loves just as much as He loves us.

I don't call myself a missionary. I'm just a girl who loves Jesus and wants to see others love Him too.

A recommendation for anyone wanting to live life on mission overseas, check this blog out.