Missionary Heart

Copied from Living Out a Missionary Heart

Like soldiers on assignment before they leave for a mission, missionaries often leave a letter to a loved one at home.  It is a farewell letter that’s only supposed to be read in the event of the missionary’s death abroad.

Karen Watson left for service in Iraq in March 2003. She had left her job as a jail officer and sold all her possessions to work on humanitarian projects with our International Mission Board in northern Iraq.  A year and a week later,anonymous gunmen wielding AK-47’s opened fire on her team’s car while they were surveying sites (perhaps for water purification projects) near Mosul.  Karen and three others were killed.

Within a few days, Karen’s pastor at Valley View Baptist Church in Bakersfield, CA received this letter, and then shared it with his congregation.   Read this slowly.

Dear Pastor,

You should only be opening this in the event of my death.

When God calls there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the nations.

I wasn’t called to a place; I was called to Him.

To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward, His glory my reward ….

THE MISSIONARY HEART

     Cares more than some think is wise

     Risks more than some think is safe

     Dreams more than some think is practical

     Expects more than some think is possible

I was called not to comfort or to success but to obedience ….

There is no Joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him.

I love you and my church family.

In His care,

Salaam, Karen

I read this on missionary blog

She also posted a touching video playing "Bury My Heart".  This amazing song was written by a teacher at  Oklahoma Baptist College, where my husband and I graduated from.