Changing our values

Last week, one of our new teachers shared her testimony in chapel, and I wanted to share it with you.
Rachel is the oldest of 7 children; her dedicated Christian parents started a new church over 10 years ago. At age 20, she became the 'administrative assistant' at the church, doing all secretarial work that needed to be done. Over the next 7 years, the church expanded significantly, until over 3,000 were worshiping there every weekend. Rachel was in charge of a staff of 15, and ran all of the church operations, save for worship services (budget, scheduling, advertising,etc.) During those 7 years, she moved into her own apartment, filled it with things, bought a cat, became very successful, loved her job, made lots of friends, and spent lots of time with her family. But she realized last spring that her full, successful life was not what she had imagined it. She was not doing what she felt God had called her to do.
So, in the midst of a national economic crisis, she applied to go on the mission field. No churches seemed to have money to send missionaries, but she had faith. She gave notice at her job, sold her things, found a new home for her cat, and ended her apartment lease. But she still didn't know what to do.
July 1, 2009 - approx. - a missionary couple from Mexico visited her church to raise support for their mission and report on their progress, and casually mentioned that they were in desperate need for a 5th/6th grade teacher, starting Aug. 15.
Rachel became that teacher.

I tell this story, even though you don't know Rachel, because it's the story of all of us at some time. It's definitely the story of everyone who is in Mexico, like us, right now.

At some point, we need to do something different than we're currently doing. We know God is calling us to move on, to move forward, to move away, to change jobs or homes or relationships, to leave behind debt and pain and sorry and worry. But normally, we're not as brave as Rachel. Normally we fight and scream and plead. We cry and mourn and whine. We question and wonder and worry.
Rachel misses her family terribly. She is struggling with Spanish. She is tired from ADHD students speaking 3 languages. Some days she is not very happy. But she is always joyful. A pure joy to be around, bc she is radiating the confidence and security that comes from following God's ordained plan.

I was nervous and scared and worried and whiney when we moved to Mexico. And I am already nervous and scared and worried and confused about what will happen when we move back. But I'm trying to learn from Rachel's example.