Legends in the Making

Recently a good friend of mine paid me one of the highest compliments I have ever received. This friend told me, “Mel, you are such a legend!” And they didn’t just tell me this once, but twice – in one week! Needless to say, it made me feel awesome. I mean, really awesome.

My friend paid me this very kind compliment in response to a situation I had helped him out with, but I hardly think the assistance I offered warranted me earning such a title…as legend.

When I think of the word legend, two things come to mind. Firstly, I think of The Legend of Zelda (obviously). Secondly, I think of who a legend is. A legend is someone who is known for having left a legacy; a legacy being something of great value or significance that is passed down from one person or generation to the next, that continues and does not die and is not forgotten.

Am I truly such a person? Am I a legend? Have I passed on something of great value or significance to others that will continue to carry on and be passed down long after I am gone? I certainly hope so. Honestly speaking, legendary habits do not come naturally to me, but I believe with God’s help, they can be cultivated. I absolutely want to leave a legacy, as a missionary in Botswana, and especially, to the youth in our church.

As a hopeful legend, what legacy do I want to impart to my youth? The thing that has been on my heart for several months now is to pass on a legacy of my love and passion for missions. I love everything about missions. It is a big and obvious reason why I chose to become a full-time missionary myself. I’ve been on several short-term mission trips, and each one was incredibly life-changing and impactful. I returned home from each of those trips a different person – a better person. It still awes me to this day how much the people I came to serve and minister to ended up being more of a blessing to me than I felt I was to them. I came back from each trip with a broader worldview and a keen consciousness of wanting to be less selfish and more selfless. Besides legendary habits, compassion is also something that does not come naturally for me; but going on a mission trip, or investing or participating in furthering mission work in some way, shape or form, has helped me to develop a heart of compassion for others.

I want my youth to experience this, too, which is why from July 16-23, 2018, I will be taking our youth on their very first mission trip to Johannesburg, South Africa. Many of my youth have never even been outside of Botswana. I believe in my youth. I know that God can and will use them to be a blessing. I look forward to giving them this opportunity to be challenged and encouraged to give of themselves to others. I believe this trip will be life-changing, impactful and compassion-cultivating, just like past mission trips have been for me.

As I endeavor to leave a legacy, I pray that I am also inspiring my youth to become legends themselves, who hopefully will become even more legendary than me.

Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in knowing how you can pray for us and support us as we prepare for this upcoming mission trip to Joburg.