The Every Day Life of a Missionary Lady

By Michelle L. Janse van Rensburg 

 What is a missionary? It is a person that has accepted the Lord as his/her Savior and wants to serve Him with her life. A missionary’s job is to share the Good News to all whom they come into contact with. Explaining to those who do not know what the precious gift of salvation is and how to accept Christ. Does this mean that only those that are sent from your church to a different town, province/state or country are the missionaries? No, all who share the Good News are missionaries!

 “Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age. Amen.”

Matthew 28:19-20

Why has the Lord placed us here on earth? The Lord created us to commune with Him. That privilege of communion with God was taken away when sin entered the world. (Genesis 3 and Romans 5:12) We regain that union with the Lord through accepting Him as our Savior, John 3:16 & 17 and Romans 10:9,10,13. Now, our goal on earth is not to fulfill our own wants and needs but to fulfill that of the Lord’s. By His grace we may now enjoy a close friendship/relationship with our Father (Colossians 3:1 & 2). We are all called to share the gospel with the people of this world that do not know Him and His promise to them. (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

Women that are missionaries may serve the Lord in many ways. We generally think of women serving by teaching ladies, children and youth. What you may not know is that there are many other ways in which a missionary lady serves the Lord.

Single & Serving– When I was a single missionary I found it difficult waiting for the husband the Lord might have for me. My desire was to marry a man that knew the Lord as his Savior and wanted to serve Him with his life. I’m thankful to the Lord for parents who taught me from 1 Corinthians 7:32-35. At that stage of my life, I did not have the responsibility of a family and could put my full attention on the things of the Lord. If you are single - God may not keep you single forever, so use the opportunity and time now that you have available for Him. While you are doing that keep your eyes fixed on the Lord and trust Him with the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37: 1-9)

Married Lady on the Mission Field – When I married, my focus was not only on the things of the Lord but I was now a helpmeet to my husband. The time I had to serve the Lord as I did when I was single was not the same anymore. My time was now divided between the things of the Lord and that of the world, my husband. It was an adjustment at first to make that change of being that helpmeet God wanted me to be for my husband. After almost seven years of marriage I continue to learn. I understand from my older sisters in Christ that it is a never-ending learning experience. Every day life for me now consists of e.g. being ready to help serve Deon in any way I can – some roles might be:

1. Housewife Duties – cooking, cleaning, washing clothes – being ready for guests to stop by at any time.

2. Secretary – answering phone calls while Deon is studying, typing up the prayer letters he writes, bringing him coffee as an encouragement.           

Although these are seemingly small roles and roles that any wife would do for their husband it is ministering to him. It is being his helpmeet especially when you do it with a loving attitude. (1 Corinthians 7: 34 and Ephesians 5: 22-24)

3. Ministering for the Lord in our church-plant through the ladies, children/youth and music ministries assists my husband in his desire to serve the Lord.

Motherhood on the Mission Field –When you add the blessings of children to your family your time for the Lord becomes even more divided. Your children become your ministry: ministering to them might include e.g. (Please keep in mind our children are ages 4 and 1 at this time in our lives.)

1. Physical Needs – Their nutrition, exercise and education.
2. Spiritual Needs - Teaching them about God’s love for them. The difference between what is right and wrong. Allowing them to talk to you about what sin is so that they can better understand the gospel, when their understanding of it becomes clear. Teaching them how to serve the Lord: serving Him alongside us, their parents, is a very important aspect to Deon and I in our church-planting efforts. (Ephesians 6)

Each of these stages in ones life is a time that can be one of the best but without the Lord’s help you cannot accomplish anything you set out to do. That is why prayer is so important to me. Right now I’ve been focusing on:

1. Asking for guidance in the daily activities that I do and forgiveness for the things that I don’t always do right.
2. Asking that the Lord bless my husband with the wisdom he needs to lead our family and church-planting ministry in a god honoring way.
3. Asking that our children would see their need for a Savior and accepting our Lord’s precious gift one day. Growing in the Lord and wanting to serve Him with their lives.

What is my Life like as Missionary Wife and Mother, many people have asked? With what I’ve shared with you today you will be able to see that I’m not any different than any other wife or mom. I’m serving the Lord just as you are. The only difference would be that I might be in a different town, province/state or country than you.

May I remind you of some lessons I have learned? If you are a single lady or married and a mother don’t be afraid to be ready and available to serve the Lord with your life. The Lord may not have you go to a foreign country but know for sure he may decide to use you right in your own hometown. I would like to encourage you to choose to allow the Lord to use you. Don’t fight Him when He wants you to be used of Him but rather say, with David and Mary Livingstone “Here Am I Lord Send Me!”

“Here am I Lord send me,

Here am I Lord send me,

I will serve You faithfully,

Here am I Lord send me!”

Isaiah 6:8

Our Boys: Jesse & Ruan

My Ministry for the Lord