My friend, Jennifer Hand, wanted to be a missionary. She defined that by “going.” And then she felt God asking her to stay.
Do you relate? You long to GO. . . but the mission field that God is leading you to isn’t far away.
I hope you’ll love Jenn as much as I do. She’s pretty amazing! ~ Suzie
The definition of comfort zone for every person is different.
I have often heard many people say that they begged God not to call them to serve Him overseas in a remote village in Africa.
For me, the opposite was true. I wanted to be a missionary since I first heard about people living in foreign lands to share about Jesus when I was an eight-year-old girl in Sunday School. I was fascinated by the idea of going into another culture, dressing like them, eating like them, and living like them.
I felt I was called and created for a life as a missionary overseas.
After graduation from college, I had an appointment to serve as a volunteer missionary for a year in Thailand. I was so excited. This was my dream come true.
In my pride, I think I even felt like they would someday name a missionary offering after me.
I took this appointment to serve without really praying about, just assuming it was God’s will for me, after all, this was a thing MOST people were praying God would NOT call them to. This was my comfort zone.
However, as the time to leave drew nearer, I could not get a peace about going to Thailand. As I prayed, I could sense God’s whispers to my heart. This was not His will for my life at the time.
I kept trying to convince myself it had to be what He had planned for me. He had opened the door. The money had been raised.
The plane ticket bought.
But God.
But God continued to speak to my heart. Heeding to His will to stay was so far out of my comfort zone.
I liked the missionary title. I liked the idea of working in an exotic land, living a life for Jesus most people did not want to live. This was comfortable.
Humbling myself and returning the money and saying I was not going was so difficult. But I knew.
It was more out of my comfort zone to stay than to go. But I knew.
I knew I must follow God’s will not my own.
I learned God does not need me, but He wants me.
He wants you. He wants us.
He wants us to follow Him even when sometimes following means staying. {Tweet This}
And when it means going.
Always saying Yes to His agenda, and trusting Him with mine.
The year I was supposed to be in Thailand was the year the Tsunami hit. The village I was supposed to live in was destroyed by that tsunami. There were only a few survivors.
One of them was me, because I was not in that village.
Jenn Hand is a strong coffee-drinking lover of Jesus. She has a zest for life and loves to go on adventure with Jesus around the world – often getting lost somewhere along the way! Jenn has been professionally speaking since 2004 and became the Executive Director and founder of Coming Alive Ministries in 2012.
She spent two life changing years overseas in South Asia as a missionary and has traveled to many third world countries to share the love of Jesus.
What a beautiful testimony to being obedient to God’s whispers. I am thanking God with you that you listened, and did not go, even though you so desperately wanted to. Thank you for sharing! Wow! Yes, amazing!
Oh Jenn, I adore you! I love your passion for life, for Jesus, and for serving others in His name. You have the most beautiful, joyful spirit, and you exude the light of your Savior within you. It is an honor to read your words today… this post gave me chills. One of my best friends has been in your shoes; her family was ready to move to the slums of Nairobi, after feeling the call to missions. But God asked them to stay and serve a much different mission field in midwest America. Confusion, doubt, disappointment came. But they knew what God was asking. I love that you followed the Holy Spirit’s whisper in your heart to stay, regardless of what your flesh was saying. I am encouraged and challenged by you, sweet lady!!! Blessings!
Oh Jennifer, What an amazing testimony to obedience!! Just what I needed to read today! Thank you, God bless you and I look forward to staying connected through “Coming Alive Ministries”
Jennifer, Oh the picture of your laughter Must be very contagious..I smile just seeing it…Thank you for sharing..I admit the name of your book sounds like I truly need to purchase.. Since my Kidney Disease started my life has changed..I’m trying to find my way..to where I do not know..I have a wonderful family..I need to be still and hear God ..I know there is a reason He has allowed this like change..Bless your Lovely Heart..I’m so glad you listen to the Lord..and I’m so sorry so many lost their lives..He still has plans for you…and I’m going to check out your site..Sounds wonderful..If it’s like what I see in you..I know God is leading me there..God Bless you..and Suzie Thank you for sharing Jennifer’s story with us..Love and hugs out to all of you!!!.
I moved 2 years past … And have been told I have become a hermit [which might be slightly true, alright a Lot true 😀 ] Just might be time to step out of my comfort zone … Especially since this topic has been in my path for about 3/4 months now …. Maybe Somebody is trying to tell me something 🙂
Ok…moment of truth. I saw the title and thought, same old. Nothing fresh or new. But I decided to read the book description online. Now I’m intrigued! “Looking to connect with Christ in a fresh new way.” Reviews are great. My interest has been piqued!
We want to be more like Him and to be all that He wants us to be.” We are His workmanship ,created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.
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What a beautiful testimony to being obedient to God’s whispers. I am thanking God with you that you listened, and did not go, even though you so desperately wanted to. Thank you for sharing! Wow! Yes, amazing!
Oh Jenn, I adore you! I love your passion for life, for Jesus, and for serving others in His name. You have the most beautiful, joyful spirit, and you exude the light of your Savior within you. It is an honor to read your words today… this post gave me chills. One of my best friends has been in your shoes; her family was ready to move to the slums of Nairobi, after feeling the call to missions. But God asked them to stay and serve a much different mission field in midwest America. Confusion, doubt, disappointment came. But they knew what God was asking. I love that you followed the Holy Spirit’s whisper in your heart to stay, regardless of what your flesh was saying. I am encouraged and challenged by you, sweet lady!!! Blessings!
Oh Jennifer, What an amazing testimony to obedience!! Just what I needed to read today! Thank you, God bless you and I look forward to staying connected through “Coming Alive Ministries”
Amazing. Thank you for sharing ❤️
Jennifer, Oh the picture of your laughter Must be very contagious..I smile just seeing it…Thank you for sharing..I admit the name of your book sounds like I truly need to purchase.. Since my Kidney Disease started my life has changed..I’m trying to find my way..to where I do not know..I have a wonderful family..I need to be still and hear God ..I know there is a reason He has allowed this like change..Bless your Lovely Heart..I’m so glad you listen to the Lord..and I’m so sorry so many lost their lives..He still has plans for you…and I’m going to check out your site..Sounds wonderful..If it’s like what I see in you..I know God is leading me there..God Bless you..and Suzie Thank you for sharing Jennifer’s story with us..Love and hugs out to all of you!!!.
I moved 2 years past … And have been told I have become a hermit [which might be slightly true, alright a Lot true 😀 ] Just might be time to step out of my comfort zone … Especially since this topic has been in my path for about 3/4 months now …. Maybe Somebody is trying to tell me something 🙂
Have a Fantabulous Rest of Your Week 🙂
Ok…moment of truth. I saw the title and thought, same old. Nothing fresh or new. But I decided to read the book description online. Now I’m intrigued! “Looking to connect with Christ in a fresh new way.” Reviews are great. My interest has been piqued!
Looks like you could use some reviews on Goodreads! I added your book to my to read list and noticed.
We want to be more like Him and to be all that He wants us to be.” We are His workmanship ,created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.
BION I’m imdeessrp! Cool post!