15 Americans

You’re going on a mission trip with 15 Americans!? This is often the reaction I got when I told family and friends at home in Canada about the mission trip I was going on. 

Sure they make fun of how I pronounce the words “produce” and “women”. They talk about restaurants I’ve never heard of like Zaxbys, Bojangles, and Culvers. They use Farenhiet instead of Celsius and miles instead of kilometers, but I love our team so much! They have accepted me even though I am from another country.

One Swazi man asked a group of us, “How many states are there in America?” One of my teammates turned to me and asked “50 or 51?” I answered 50, like I was totally American. 

When handing out passports it is always easy to tell which one is mine. 

I have started picking up on my teams southern accents. I have even started saying y’all. 

Does it matter if we are American, Canadian, or Swazi? We are all children of God. God doesn’t fret about the little cultural differences. He loves us because He created us, we come from Him. 

The little kids here constantly sing: 

“Jesus loves the little children, 

all the children of the world. 

Red and yellow, black and white,

they are precious in His sight, 

Jesus loves the little children of the world. JESUS!”

This song is a great reminder of God’s love for everyone no matter their nationality, ethnicity, or race. Our nationality should not define us. It should not be our identity. Our identity should be in Christ Jesus our Lord. “God shows no favoritism. In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right.” Acts 10:34b-35. God doesn’t define us by our nationality, God defines us by our hearts. Do we love Him with all our hearts, souls, strength, and minds? Do we live a life pleasing to God? 

This earthy world, our countries’, are not our permanent home. Our true home is in God’s perfect Kingdom. We are citizens of heaven and that’s where we should find our identity. 

This trip has demonstrated that Christians can teach each other about Christ, no matter which country, or state, they come from. God speaks to each of us differently and gives each of us insights that others may not have, so we should pour into others what He teaches us.

These 15 men and women of God have taught me so much. They have taught me about love, about community, about diving into Scripture, about fellowship, about the power of prayer, about angels, about friendship, and about chasing after the King of Kings. I love our team so much!   

Alexis teaches me about freedom 

Brook teaches me about peace 

Catharine teaches me about patience 

Chels teaches me about following God’s path 

Emm teaches me about my worth 

Garrett teaches me about maturity 

Hannah teaches me about joy 

Joanna teaches me about identity

Joy teaches me about love 

Kenz teaches me about servanthood 

Mel teaches me about stepping out of your comfort zone

Rachel teaches me about intentionality 

Sarah teaches me about trust 

Shad teaches me about God’s holiness 

Tanner teaches me about reverence for Scripture     

Whether Calgarian, Georgian, or Swazi, God uses each and every one of us to impact each other’s lives.   

Do you see everyone as a child of God, no matter their nationality, age, religion, etc? 

If you had to describe yourself to a stranger, what would you say? Would you tell them your full name, your age, your school, your job, your state, your country, etc. Or would you tell them that you are a child of God first and foremost? 

Where do you find your identity? Today I challenge you to put your identity in Jesus Christ, not in your nationality.