God showed me what it means to be a full-time missionary.

Coming to Alaska, I had no idea what to expect. I knew that it was daylight a lot longer than in Minnesota and that there were lots of bugs. I knew that we would work with native kids, so I prepared myself for playing tag and duck, duck, goose.

What I did not expect was how much is sacrificed to reach the people of Alaska’s interior.

Living with missionary families really let me get a keyhole peek at what missionaries go through. I was not prepared to see what sacrifices are required to follow God’s great commission.

They give up their friends back home, much of their culture, the right to take offense or the right to be accepted, and the right to be taken care of. They are held to the highest standards – being teachers of God’s Word – and allow their hearts to be broken for the people.

The first time I saw this I was scared, crying to God, “Please do not call me to missions!” But then Galatians 2:20 came to mind.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I life in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (NIV)

These missionaries have shown me what it means to be crucified with Christ. I an now willing to go where God calls and live completely on faith.

God sure knows what questions we need answered!