Passporter Holly Martin went on a 3 month mission trip to South Africa with every intention of serving God with everything she is. But then she realized that God didn’t call her to a mission trip; He’s called her to a life of missions—anywhere and everywhere she goes, whether that is in the States or on the other side of the world. 

Over the last couple of days it has become so obvious to me that God has called me to way higher places then just being on a short term mission trip for three months.

Most of all, He has shown me how He wants me to live not just here but when I go home as well. I didn’t come here to be a missionary for three months and call it done. I’ve been called to be a missionary for the rest of my life.

I’ve been called to live in a way that wherever I go I make Jesus’ name known. I’ve been called to shine the light of Jesus wherever my feet walk.

So often it is easy to get caught up in life and think that we have set times that we need to be serving Jesus, set times that we need to be His hands and feet, and set times that we need to worship Him. But that’s not how it should be, I should be living in a mindset that everywhere I go is an opportunity for me to be a missionary. Whether that is in Oceanview when I’m playing with the children in Capetown, when I’m on the train sitting next to a stranger, or when I go home and back to every day life, people should know Who I serve.

The point is that no matter where we are or what we are doing, we are to be serving the Kingdom.

Having God bring me to South Africa has been one of the most rewarding and growing seasons of my life so far.

I have learned that being a missionary doesn’t always mean living in that rural village in the middle of Africa, or living in that orphanage with children who have no one left in their lives. ometimes it does mean these things, but it is also looks like being that teacher in a school who is impacting kids every day, or sitting in that office surrounded by co-workers who mock you and your Christian faith. Sometimes it means living a physically comfortable life in South Africa.

This is what life is has looked like for me for the past two months.

Honestly, I have been so blessed with an amazing place to stay and amazing things to do here in Capetown. But just because I’m living a fairly comfortable life here doesn’t mean I should just settle in and get into a routine of when I’m supposed to be serving others. It means going that extra mile and looking for the opportunities God is providing me. God has taken us all to different places for His divine purpose; our only job is to make sure we fulfill that and don’t waste those opportunities.

I’m a missionary for life, not just for the next month or until the next trip across the world. In every moment, I am to be a missionary for the Kingdom of God.

*1st photo by Torrey Dawson; 2nd photo by Jasmine Evans

Holly has discovered God’s plan for her life—living for Him wherever she goes. Do you feel God calling you to share His love with people across the world who do not know Him? CLICK HERE for more information on how you can join a college missions team for 1-3 months to Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia!