The Virtuous Daughter Magazine Winter 2016/17 Edition | Page 32

What does it mean to be a missionary ? We tend to think that we have to go out – of-state to be a qualified “ missionary .” However , we can be a missionary right where we are . Whether you live in the open country or the big city , you can show God ' s love to those around you . Honestly , this is something that I have struggled with . How can I be a missionary in my small ' hick ' town ? I often feel stuck in my own little world . I ' m not old enough to go out of country with a missions group , but I need to do something .
God calls us to spread His love no matter where we are . We don ' t need to have the distorted view that God can ' t use us unless we go out of our area . We can shine His light by doing simple things — like taking a meal to someone who ' s sick , or by singing at a nursing home . If you have any married siblings with kids , they always appreciate a helping hand .
One way that I have been challenged to help those around me is through foster care . My one brother and his wife recently started doing foster care and , believe me , it is no easy calling . Babysitting the children is always a help . Or even just going to their house to help clean or just watch the children so the mom can have a break .
You can even do things with your youth group . A few months ago , my youth group did what we call a Night of Blessings . We split up into groups and collaborated with one another on how we could do something special for someone that night . Some people took supper to the local police station . Others went to a grocery store and paid for people ' s groceries . One other thing that one group did was hand out Walmart gift cards in town .
Don ' t ever think that just because you are young you can ' t be a missionary to others . God tells us in the Bible to help our neighbors . We need to be a blessing to those around us . If you have an opportunity to go to a nursing home to sing or even just spend time with the elderly , go for it ! You never know what a simple thing

What does it mean to be a missionary ? We tend to think that we have to go out – of-state to be a qualified “ missionary .” However , we can be a missionary right where we are . Whether you live in the open country or the big city , you can show God ' s love to those around you . Honestly , this is something that I have struggled with . How can I be a missionary in my small ' hick ' town ? I often feel stuck in my own little world . I ' m not old enough to go out of country with a missions group , but I need to do something .

God calls us to spread His love no matter where we are . We don ' t need to have the distorted view that God can ' t use us unless we go out of our area . We can shine His light by doing simple things — like taking a meal to someone who ' s sick , or by singing at a nursing home . If you have any married siblings with kids , they always appreciate a helping hand .

One way that I have been challenged to help those around me is through foster care . My one brother and his wife recently started doing foster care and , believe me , it is no easy calling . Babysitting the children is always a help . Or even just going to their house to help clean or just watch the children so the mom can have a break .

You can even do things with your youth group . A few months ago , my youth group did what we call a Night of Blessings . We split up into groups and collaborated with one another on how we could do something special for someone that night . Some people took supper to the local police station . Others went to a grocery store and paid for people ' s groceries . One other thing that one group did was hand out Walmart gift cards in town .

Don ' t ever think that just because you are young you can ' t be a missionary to others . God tells us in the Bible to help our neighbors . We need to be a blessing to those around us . If you have an opportunity to go to a nursing home to sing or even just spend time with the elderly , go for it ! You never know what a simple thing