Author Archives: Mel
Day 5: 10 Days of Thankfulness
For Day 5 of my 10 Days of Thankfulness, I would be remiss if I did not mention my appreciation for all of my supporters. I have several churches and individuals who have supported (and continue to support me) since I became a missionary. Thank you to everyone who has financially supported me! I supportedaaa
Day 4: 10 Days of Thankfulness
For Day 4 of my 10 Days of Thankfulness, I would like to express how thankful I am for the Buckleys. If you’ve been following me since I moved to Africa, you know that I work with Light of the World Ministries which was founded by Matt and Kristin Buckley over 25 years ago. Whenaaa
Day 3: 10 Days of Thankfulness
For Day 3 of my 10 Days of Thankfulness, can I just say that I’m thankful that I feel at home in Africa? Because I do. How does one Filipino American find herself feeling at home in a foreign country she has never been to? I look different. I talk differently. I stand out likeaaa
Day 2: 10 Days of Thankfulness
For Day 2 of my 10 Days of Thankfulness, I want to share about how thankful I am for the people I get to work with, particularly the youth in my church. Most of my missionary work resolves around working with these youth. I plan and facilitate weekly youth services. I organize youth events. Iaaa
Day 1: 10 Days of Thankfulness
We are 10 days away from Thanksgiving and I thought I’d share about 10 things I’m thankful for – in particular, about my life so far as a missionary. I think that everyone possesses the ability to live a rich and full life, but it’s a choice. Someone being “rich” doesn’t necessarily mean being financiallyaaa
October-December 2013 Newsletter
Click here to view my October-December 2013 Newsletter. If you’d like to sign-up to receive my quarterly newsletter, please click here.
Girl Scout Cookies
An epiphany came to me the other day: It is Girl Scout cookie season. Random? I think not. Timely? Absolutely. I simply had to scroll through my Facebook news feed to confirm the validity of my revelation – a divine revelation, might I add. Amazing to think that even continents away I just know. Iaaa
July-September 2013 Newsletter
I apologize for not updating everyone in a while! Between the busyness of returning to Botswana and internet issues, I struggled to find the time to keep everyone updated. Please know that I am alive, I’m back in Botswana, and I’m excited as ever about what God has called me to do here :) Clickaaa
Spreading A Message of Hope
Before returning to Botswana in October, a friend helped me put together this short video to help me promote our abstinence project to youth groups in the States. I thought it would be a good idea to offer youth in America an opportunity to partner with me in spreading this message of hope to theaaa
So You Want to Go on a Mission Trip? (Part 7)
If I had the money, I would send everyone that wanted to go, on a missions trip. It can be such a phenomenal, life-changing experience, but it’s not the only way that someone can become involved in missions.
People tell me all the time how they’re glad that God called me to Africa – not them. I really enjoy traveling. I quickly adapt to new environments. I’m not afraid of trying new things. I have a natural bend towards a life in missions work because that’s how God wired me. But not everyone is like me and that’s totally okay. God has given each of us different gifts and we’re the most effective when we serve in the capacity God has called and enabled us to walk in.
Besides going on a missions trip, here are some other ways that you can still be involved in missions:
1) Pray for missionaries. Missionaries really appreciate your prayers and we feel them. I love hearing from people that they are praying for me. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that everything I do on the mission field is covered in prayer. I know that every need I’ve had as a missionary has been met because of the many people praying for me. The way I see it, I can’t ever have too many people praying for me!
2) Bless & encourage missionaries. I’ve learned very quickly that the biggest thing I appreciate the most as a missionary is connecting with people who are genuinely interested and excited about what I do – you are the kind of people we as missionaries LOVE to partner with!
The work we do is hard and at times can be very exhausting. The encouragement and excitement of our supporters in the States can help fuel us to press on in our work. Letters, emails, Facebook messages, cards, care packages – it’s those small, but genuine acts of love and encouragement that can bless us so much.
3) Financial Support. I supported missionaries consistently for years prior to going into the field myself. If you can’t go or don’t want to go, then send. When the basic needs of a missionary are met, it allows them to fully focus on what God has called them to do. You can also help grow their sphere of influence by contributing towards a specific focus or project they’re working on. Pray about how much God wants you to give, who to give to and how often to give. God will bless you for it. Read about how God blessed me in a big way when I supported missions long ago here.
Missions is so close to my heart, and I know that missions is close to God’s heart. Go on a missions trip. Support or send a missionary. No matter how you choose to be involved in missions, you will be blessed for it.
Related Posts:
So You Want to Go on a Missions Trip? (Part 1)
So You Want to Go on a Missions Trip? (Part 2)
So You Want to Go on a Missions Trip? (Part 3)
So You Want to Go on a Missions Trip? (Part 4)
So You Want to Go on a Missions Trip? (Part 5)
So You Want to Go on a Missions Trip? (Part 6)
