The Missionary

Webster's II New College Dictionary defines a missionary as "One sent on a mission, esp. one sent to do religious or charitable work in a territory or foreign country."  I would like to add a developed definition to this one:
~one who leaves the comfort of his or her own family for the comfort of others who dearly love you and support you in bad times.
~one who has no promise of sufficient financial support to find the thrill of a Heavenly Father who knows the needs unknown to others, and supplies miraculously.
~one who knows what it is to grieve alone, but knows the depths of comfort from the Holy Spirit.
~one who rejoices at all missionary enterprises when they have joy, and one who has a deep interest in everyone everywhere.
~one who does not embrace the value system of the world-money and possessions do not hold much interest to him.
~one who knows that those who do not understand the true meaning of missions will often say cruel and cutting things, but a missionary will remember the core issue and ignore the barbs.
~after being in the presence of a true missionary, I always recognize a different 'heartbeat' in him than most people carry. The missionary's interest in sincerely in individuals.
~missionaries and their children are often 'different.' Perhaps this is sometimes  because they have seen and heard what the average man does not see and hear while they go about their work.
~a missionary who understands his mission recognizes that after all is said and done, Jesus told us to say, "I am an unprofitable servant." Real missionaries do not need to be treated special.
~missionaries know the depths of discouragement that few people feel, and they know the highest joys that are reserved for those who give themselves completely to the mission of God.
Just a few thoughts. May God bless you! Have a wonderful week! Please pray for Lower Brule.