You never know what it is going to take to really “click” for your children. I mean, when the Gospel will seem real, relevant, and possessive. For it to feel like truth to them, for it to be THEIR Gospel. We go to church each Sunday and Wednesday, we read our Bible at home, we pray together as a family and do family devotions – but when is it going to seem more than just words? We’ve decided to make it a priority to train our children about missions – the hard way. It has become a rite of passage in our home when our children turn 10, they will get to go with Dad to Guatemala and serve. Jason and I pray daily for the salvation of two of our children, the third has already professed faith in Christ. For her, I think what made it click the most was the short term mission trip to Guatemala last summer. She seemed to come alive there, flourishing while caring for the orphans at the children’s home. She desired to go share the Gospel with others in the village. She connected in such a profound way; she continued to talk about her trip and all the people she had met almost every day for almost a year. She and Jason are planning to return to Guatemala together this summer. You see, we’ve always been a mission minded family. Close friends of ours are full time missionaries in Romania. Their 6 kids are like brothers and sisters to us. We frequently talk about what they are doing there, and how we can pray for them better. Jason has been on multiple mission trips to Guatemala. He tries to go each year that he can. I have been to India twice and plan to return next fall. Jason raises money for mission trips of all kinds through his coffee roasting business, Coffee On A Mission. He buys the coffee beans in bulk, and hand roasts them in small batches to order. All proceeds go to missions, we don’t keep a dime! God calls us to go to the ends of the Earth to tell people about His love. In the Great Commission in Matthew 28, it says : Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” How can we make disciples in other nations unless we go? Isn’t this what God is calling us to – to GO and make disciples? I am thrilled that at least one of my children has an interest in mission work, sharing the love of Christ with those who haven’t heard. As a parent, it is my heart’s desire for my children to grow up to love God with all their hearts, and to serve Him in whatever capacity He calls them to. For her, the mission trip was a catalyst for her faith. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for her future. One thing is for sure, I am glad we took the time and money to send her on a trip while she was only 10. Maybe she’ll be like her parents, serving in the local church while going on frequent short term mission trips. But, who knows – she may one day be in full time mission work across the globe. She’s only 11 right now, and there is a lot of time to decide. I think for her, it has changed the course of her life. I love to see the way God works missions into our family. I know many parents who would not allow their children to participate in a missions trip – for many reason. It’s too far, it’s too dangerous, and what if (gasp) they chose to move far away and life in another country on mission for God? I feel that nothing could please God more, and although it would be difficult, this mama would be very proud indeed.