Summer missionary: a person who lives a crazy, hectic life with no sleep and too much watered-down Gatorade, all for the glory of God. Also, this person has a rockin' Chaco tan and has mastered the skill of sleeping to the last minute possible.
Being a summer missionary has been one of the biggest blessings in my life because I get to hang out with some of the best people I will ever meet almost every day and get a free Chick-fil-A sandwich every Monday for a solid eight weeks, even though Chick-fil-A is still closed after three weeks.
Sometimes it can be difficult on sites but you can get through it with the help of Ronnie, Randy, and Matt, our therapists (even though that is not in their job descriptions), or just being sleep deprived on Thursdays and finishing your sites early so the oh-so-essential naps can be taken before dinner.
One skill learned along with roofing and painting is how to shower and get ready in the fastest time possible because you laid in your bedroom floor too long watching "Grey's Anatomy" (true story, it has happened).
Sometimes, your patience will be tested due to a busted cooler with Gatorade all in it. You will still have that ministry smile but all you want to do is cry because everything in the back of you car is soaking wet.
Some of the essentials needed to be a summer missionary are:
1. Any kind of dry fit short (Walmart's $7.50 pairs are the best)
2. Any kind of t-shirt (the best kinds are the ones that are oversized)
3. Chacos!
4. The backpack that was used in high school (because the one you use now still probably has books in it from last semester)
5. No fear of singing any song ever with middle school girls (Who does not want to sing Disney, then country, then Justin Bieber, and finally rap some Lacrae?)
6. And finally... knowing where every single milkshake, frozen yogurt, or sno ball stand is located.
But when you think about it, as Christians, we are all on a mission that God has set out for us (Matthew 28:18-20). So as it is summer, all Christians are summer missionaries to fulfill the task that God has set out for us. No matter if you are at home, on the beach, or in another country, I encourage you to set out to do the task set for you.
