MEET KAYLA MEIER: she used her heart for education to meet a need overseas and learned that some good-byes are worth the risk.

How did you first become interested in missions?

I became seriously interested in missions during the summer of 2017. It was the third summer I traveled to Romania for a mission trip, but this summer was different. During our time there, we were able to see the day-to-day life of what missionaries actually do; serve others. Our time on this trip was spent serving through cooking meals, hosting people at the house,  doing laundry, etc.

What made you decide to move to Romania?

I made the decision to move to Romania after I recognized the need for teachers. Overseas, the choice of how to educate a missionary kid is a hard one. I moved to Romania to serve as an educator for the missionary kids on our team through homeschool curriculum, English supplementation, and tutoring.

What was the scariest part about leaving home and committing to serve full-time, and how did the Lord help you overcome it?

Honestly, the scariest part for me was the "good-bye". I am the type of person who makes home wherever she is at, so I wasn't too scared of moving to Europe; but I was scared of saying "good-bye" to the people I love. I didn't want to be forgotten. In the last year, the Lord has been so gracious in providing me with strong relationships amongst others who are serving. He has built up a community of encouragement, love, and support around me from all corners of the world.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to serve but isn’t sure where to begin?

If you want to serve, sometimes you just have to take a step of faith. The Lord will guide you.

What’s one thing you wish everyone knew about full-time ministry?

I wish everyone knew that full-time ministry doesn't actually look like what we Americanize it to be. Our stereotype is that a missionary is someone who has to dig wells in Africa, find a cure for world hunger, or save orphans; realistically, it is about obediently serving the Lord in every situation - even the mundane. Sometimes it looks like taking a lasagna to someone who just had a baby, driving someone to the store to buy a new car battery, investing in missionary kids, and so much more.