Missions: The Best Medicine

Alexa Coniendo
 

My family was concerned about my becoming a missionary.  “Your health is weak!” they said.  “How can you go to a remote place?  Besides, your stipend probably won’t be enough to buy your medicine.”

You see, for years now I’ve been taking maintenance medications that the doctors said I needed because of a health condition.  I knew that my relatives were simply concerned for my well-being, but it made the choice to be a missionary difficult.

“Alexa, you’re a college graduate now,” my friends said when I talked to them about being a missionary.  “It’s time to get a good job and earn some money!”  No one understood me, no one encouraged me.

But when I talked to God, it was a different story!  “Alexa,” He seemed to say to me that day when I asked Him yet again what I should do.  “Alexa, how many times have I called you even when you were holding back in fear?  What happened when you followed me?  Remember the quote, ‘God doesn’t call the qualified.  He qualifies the called.’”

So I decided to follow God against all odds.  So, on December 4, 2019, I joined PFM and traveled to Sagada where I began working as a missionary.

If you’ve ever been to Sagada, you know that in everything you do here, and everywhere you go, you get plenty of exercise, cold fresh air, and sunshine.  As I began working for the Lord, I found that I didn’t need my medications quite so much.  In fact, after being here for nearly one year, I’ve been able to get completely off my old maintenance medications!  Praise God!

Not long after I arrived in Sagada, Taal volcano erupted, throwing tons of dangerous ash into the air around Cavite where I used to live.  Almost as soon as the volcano calmed down, COVID-19 struck.  Because of my health condition, I am one of the most at risk from both of these calamities.

As I listened to the news, I realized that if I had listened to everyone’s warnings, and had stayed away from the mission field for fear of my health, I would have been right in the middle of the most dangerous place I could be for my particular health condition.

How glad I am that I chose to fight my fears.  How glad I am that I listened to God’s leading even when it went against my friends’ recommendations.  How happy I am that I trusted the Lord with my life, my health, and my finances.
​
 
How about you?  Has God called you to be a missionary with PFM? Is something holding you back from God’s call?  Don’t let anything get between you and God’s command to go and make disciples.  If He has called you, He will take care of you! - The Editors

Support PFM!