Well last night I got my first response back from a missionary, so today you get to read what they have to say. Today’s highlighted missionary couple is Matt and Carrie Love (missionaries to the Dominican Republic). When you are done reading the interview, I really suggest you check out their website at www.thewaytheyshouldgo.com. Enjoy!
When did you first feel called into missions?
I (Carrie) felt called when I was 16 and Matt felt called when he was 28.
How did God call you into missions?
I felt called to missions when I was at Acquire the Fire. I went to Southeastern University in Florida and started with a missions major and later switched to education to have something practical to offer. I met Matt my last summer before graduation. When things started to get serious I was very upfront with him. I said that God had called me to be a missionary and if we got married, there would be a good chance that God would call him too, and asked him if that happened would he say yes. He thought about it for awhile and replied, if called him, he would say yes. A few years later we were on a short term missions trip and God called Matt to be a missionary to the Dominican Republic.
How did you know what country God was calling you to?
I just knew I had heard the voice of God and that I was supposed to be a missionary. I did not know where. Matt was walking through the airport in the DR on our second trip and Matt had an overwhelming sensation that he was home. When he got back to the states he prayed for confirmation and within 24 hours he received an email from the missionaries we had just worked with who said they had just accepted the position of Area Directors and was looking for a young and energetic couple to take their place as Latin American ChildCare directors in the Dominican Republic. That was enough confirmation for Matt.
What is your favorite thing about being a missionary?
My favorite thing about being a missionary is being able to see how our God back in the states is the same God for everyone else in the world. We are all one giant church and I love being able to see and help facilitate both countries working as one for the kingdom. Matt’s favorite thing about being a missionary is waking up every morning knowing that he is in the will of God.
What has been the most difficult thing you have experienced on the mission field?
Matt and I both feel that the most difficult thing that we have experienced is the general stress that comes from selling everything, saying goodbye to family and friends and trying to adjust to a new culture. I think we are doing fine, but every little task takes so much time and energy and your physical body sort of does a breaking down and rebuilding up. Little things like grocery shopping could take all morning or all day because you have to go to 4 different stores to get what you need, but after awhile you develop a routine and everything goes more quickly and smoothly.
How has Speed the Light affected your ministry?
We are driving a Toyota Hilux truck (it is halfway between the Tundra and Tacoma in size and power) that was bought by Speed the Light. We can’t say how wonderful it is to have the youth of Michigan giving to this program. There are so many things that we are raising funds for before we can get to the mission field. By not having to raise the funds for a vehicle we were able to get to the field months faster. THANK YOU!. Also, we have met a few missionaries from other denominations here who don’t have a program like Speed the Light so they ended up buying an older and cheaper vehicle and now they are spending a significant amount of their time and money dealing with car troubles and repairs. Please give to STL, we missionaries need you!!!!!!
If you could give any advice to today’s youth, what advice would you give?
Learn to be a giver. It is much easier to develop this way of life as a teen than as an adult, and it is God’s heart. Be a giver.
Make good decisions now for a better future. You might not know who you will be in the future but if you know that you want to be strong Christian in the future then you ought to be studying the Bible and praying now. If you want to have a happy and Godly marriage, then only date people who are well balanced and in love with God. If you want to be debt free, start managing your money better now. If you what to have a nice car and house and other stuff then study hard and go to college. Its all about delayed gratification, a big technical term, I know, but the more you can practice delayed gratification now, the better future you will have. Matt and I were very disciplined as young adults and as a result were financially strong when we applied to missions. We know of others who had applied to missions and were rejected because they had too much debt.
Always be open to God and his leading. We can be logical and disciplined, but ultimately no one knows the future accept God. There are times in life when God leads you to do things that are “stupid” in the world’s eyes but are brilliant in God’s eyes, like giving away your whole paycheck or signing up for a missions trip. Always have your heart tuned to God’s voice so that you can hear when he wants you to do something “stupid”. Ha.
Is there anything we can pray with you about?
Please pray that God would guide us in how we can help improve Latin America ChildCare in the Dominican Republic and help touch the lives of the 10,000 students that are in our program.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Go to our website www.thewaytheyshouldgo.com to see fun photos, videos and read the latest about our ministry at Matt’s blog.
Well I hope you enjoyed this interview, because tomorrow you will be reading about Phil and Lisa DiMusto from Signapore! By the way, if you are enjoying what this blog has to offer, why not sign up for a subscription. The link for the RSS feed is in the top right corner of this page. You can even have my updates emailed to your email account!
Have a Jesus filled day!
