Ask a Missionary - Catch The Fire

with, check their education preferences. Don’t lose time just because
you failed to ask their requirements.
Answer from Bethany, who is serving in the Middle East with the Assemblies
of God.
A:
Yes. Take a year or two for missions before
college.
My friends and relatives were pretty jumpy at the thought of
me doing a year or two of mission work before getting into college.
Maybe more than anyone else, I was afraid of taking a road less
traveled. Was it really the right choice? I was worried that I would
eventually go back home to start college and be a “missionary misfit.”
I would be a few years older than my classmates, with a different
worldview, experiences, and morals that would set me apart in an
awkward way. But at the same time, I knew that my foundation as a
Christian had been strengthened and that I would be more prepared
to face the world with a better understanding of myself.
Now that I have finished my two years of missionary service
and have been in college, I find that I am not a misfit after all. I
actually feel better prepared to disciple and encourage my brothers
and sisters in Christ because of my experiences, and I find myself
recruiting my friends into missions. Everyone, whether Christian
or not, enjoys hearing my missionary stories. The fact that I am a
few years older than my classmates has actually turned out to be a
blessing.
There is a place and a time for university, but a year or two off
will undoubtedly teach you more about who you are, who God is,
and how you can actively serve in God’s kingdom. 3
Answer from Hannah, who trained and served for two years with Operation
Mobilization.
TRAINING: Getting It Right | 85