From Her Heart to Mine: How My Mom’s Faith Shaped My Calling into Missions – And Why Motherhood is Your Greatest Mission Field
Motherhood is the greatest mission field there is. It’s where everything starts—where we shape the future and raise the next generation to know God. For me, everything I’ve done in ministry stems from the foundation my mom laid for me. She didn’t just teach me how to cook or clean; she taught me how to love God and serve Him with my whole heart. I carry those lessons with me every day in my ministry, as I work with the youth in Mozambique.
In this post, I’m sharing the wisdom my mom passed on to me and how her faith shaped my life. Her journey, her love for God, and the lessons she taught me are the reasons I stepped into the calling God had for me. And I believe her story will encourage you too, especially if you’re a mom in the trenches, doing what seems like the everyday, ordinary tasks.
Motherhood is not just a job—it’s a calling that impacts the world more than we know.
Motherhood: The Mission Field Where Everything Starts
When I asked my mom how she saw motherhood, she shared:
"In the beginning, I didn’t realize how much responsibility motherhood would bring. I just thought it was about having kids. But over time, I came to see that motherhood is a calling. It’s not just about raising children—it’s about raising them to love God, to know Him, and to live their lives for His purpose."
As I reflect on my own journey into missions, I realize that everything started with her. Everything I teach the youth in Mozambique—the life skills, the education, and most importantly, the personal relationship with Jesus—I learned from my mom. She was my first teacher, and her faith became my foundation. She didn’t just raise me physically; she raised me spiritually. And I carry that with me today.
The Hard Work of Motherhood
Motherhood is hard work. It’s not glamorous, it’s not easy, and sometimes it feels like the same thing over and over—laundry, dishes, making meals. My mom shared how she sometimes felt the weight of it all:
"Motherhood can feel mundane. You get caught up in the routines—getting the kids to school, cleaning up after meals. It doesn’t always feel important, but when you look back, you see how much you’ve shaped your children. You see the impact of what you’ve done. Raising children isn’t just about taking care of them; it’s about raising them for the Kingdom."
She’s right. Sometimes, the hardest days feel like they’re just routine tasks with no visible results. But the truth is, we moms are shaping future leaders of faith. And that is the most important mission we’ll ever have.
Letting Go: Releasing a Child to Follow God’s Call
One of the hardest things for a mom is letting go. I’ll never forget the moment I told my mom I was moving to Mozambique. She shared:
"When you told me you were moving to Florida, it was hard, but at least I could visit. But when you told me you were going to Africa, that was a different story. It was hard to let you go, but I knew you were following God’s call, and I had to trust Him with you."
Letting go of our kids is a sacrifice every mom faces at some point. It’s not just about releasing them physically—it’s about trusting that God has a plan for their lives. That’s a faith step I didn’t fully understand until I saw it in my mom’s eyes.
Her Visit to Mozambique: A Life-Changing Experience
When my mom visited me in Mozambique, it was more than just a visit—it was a life-changing experience for her. She had never flown before, and I remember her being nervous about the long flight. But she said:
"I had never flown before. I should have taken a short flight first, but I waited until it was over 24 hours. I was so nervous, but Enya, at just five years old, held my hand to comfort me. I’ll never forget that."
But it wasn’t just the flight that was overwhelming—it was the culture shock she experienced when she arrived. She said:
"When I got to Mozambique, I was amazed at how the people just moved through life without getting overwhelmed. Everywhere you looked, there were people. They didn’t seem rushed or stressed. They just figured things out."
Her visit to Mozambique deepened her commitment to prayer and gave her a deeper understanding of the work we were doing. She realized the sacrifices involved in mission work and the heart of ministry. She said:
"I didn’t know your life was so hard. It’s hard for me to know that. But I also saw how God was using you there. I saw firsthand the sacrifices you were making, and that deepened my commitment to pray for you."
Motherhood is the Greatest Mission Field
As I reflect on everything my mom taught me, I realize that motherhood is where it all begins. Raising children to love God and serve His purposes is the greatest mission field we have. Motherhood is not just about the physical needs of our kids—it’s about their hearts. It’s about shaping them to be disciples of Jesus.
So, to all the moms reading this, I want to encourage you: even when it feels like the days are long and the work is never-ending, what you are doing matters. You are raising the future of the Kingdom of God. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it.
If you want to hear more of my heartfelt conversation with my amazing mom 🌸, as we share her journey through motherhood 👩👧👦, faith 🙏, and missions 🌍, don’t miss the full podcast episode! 🎧✨
You can listen on Podbean 🎙️ or check out the episode on other platforms 📲:
It's available on all your favorite podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!
If you prefer to watch the episode, here’s the link to the YouTube video 📺👇:
