FAQ's by Cameron
Hi! In this blog post, I am going to answer some Frequently Asked Questions we have gotten concerning missions. I thought it would be helpful to have the main ones in a post. Here they are!
Q1: What do you like most about becoming a Family Missions Company missionary?
We like the close, Catholic community that FMC provides with all its missionaries. A while ago, we were considering other missionary companies as well, but we eventually discerned this one.
Q2: Why move to a third-world country if you can have a normal, carefree, childhood here?
For me, I feel happier helping others. So, that being said, I am ready to do something different that I enjoy doing, and more importantly, something that is serving the people of God.
Q3: Don't you worry about safety and danger in another country?
The short answer, is no. That is because, first of all, we are wanting to give our worries to God and follow whatever he has in store for us. Second, the U.S. is as dangerous as other countries in its own ways. For instance, all the terrible school shootings that happen semi-frequently all over the United States. Thankfully, we don't need to worry about that, as we are a homeschooling family.
Q4: There is plenty of physical/spiritual poverty here in the United States. Why don't you just serve in your own community/country?
First of all, we do try to do different things to serve here in the U.S. Second, there are so many people here capable of serving others here. In some foreign countries, it can obviously be really hard for the poor and starving to serve others.
Q5: Are you just becoming foreign missionaries for the title?
(We actually had a family member ask us this.)
Um, no. I have yet to find someone who goes out of their way to have unclean water, sickness, and limited access to affordable, fresh, food just for the title of "Missionary." We are doing it, overall, because we want to share the love of Jesus with others outside of our country. And, if we do this with love and charity, while preaching the gospel, it will hopefully bring us steps closer to winning heaven.
Q6: Why don't you just stay and make a difference in your own parish?
We asked this question to missionaries at our first discernment weekend, and they responded:
"You will make a far greater difference in your parish by leaving, than you will by staying."
We have seen this in action with other missionary friends. Not everybody receives a call to foreign missions. There are plenty of other people who do an amazing job of serving in our parish stateside. We are so grateful for the support of our parish, and we are excited to be a bridge for our church to share in the Great Commission.
Q7: Do you know what country are you going to?
Not yet. We will probably find out at the end of this year. Family Missions Company currently has missionaries in Costa Rica, Peru, Asia/Philippines, Italy, Mexico, and Ecuador.
Q8: What do you think will be your biggest challenge in the mission field?
Probably balancing out our homeschooling with mission work, but it will be fine.
Q9: What would you say to people who say, "I could never do that?"
Everybody is called to be a missionary right in your own home, and there are plenty of ways that you can serve stateside in the U.S. You can also help by supporting missionaries in other countries, because some give by going, and others go by giving. We are also going to be able to host mission trips where we are stationed (so start saving!). Short-term mission trips are an amazing experience!
Q10: What will you miss most from the U.S.?
Friends, family, and our dog.
Well, I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask us via email. Know that you are all in our prayers! Please pray for us as we continue our next steps of becoming FMC missionaries.
God Bless!
Cameron
