Sara Rohr: Unlikely Missionary

She would be the last person in the world to call herself a missionary. Before leaving for Uganda in June, Sara Rohr made it crystal clear that only God could have convinced her to go on this trip. But by the time she and her fellow educators returned two weeks later, her perspective on missions had dramatically changed.

The following comments are used with permission from the letter Sara wrote to her supporters after her return.

“When I left Maryland in June, I didn’t really know what I was getting into. I appreciated the support of our team, Frank and Sue Robb and Eddie Davis, who kept me laughing and praying when life was a little overwhelming. Overall, I loved watching each member of our group using his/her gifts to minister the love of Christ. We were such a close-knit team and had a great time together. In addition to being excellent science teachers, Frank and Sue are very administrative and have such a vision for the future of Alpha and Omega Vocational Secondary School as well as being members of their school board. Everyone absolutely loved Eddie and flocked to him wherever he went. It was amazing to watch the hours he put in just listening to people, showing them the Word of God, and praying for them. Frank, Sue, and Eddie also spent endless hours teaching students, investing in the teachers, counseling people, and just loving them.

“Traveling to Uganda was truly life-changing in many ways. On the “debriefing form” I was asked how this experience challenged the way I live. These are a few of my thoughts:

• I am exceedingly more grateful for what I take for granted on a daily basis—clean water, reliable electricity, internet service, a home, car, food, education, leisure activities, toilets…
• I certainly have more clothes in my closet than I will ever need. (One of the things that impacted me was that the people in Pastor Moses’ church gave clothing to the Congo refugees in the camp we visited, and I know how little they have.) Most of the possessions I value are truly frivolous.
• I have a fresh desire to commit everything to prayer. With the Holy Spirit’s help, I need to learn to be more flexible, think “outside the box,” and be willing to be used by God in the way he sees fit rather than lean on my own plans.
• My tendency is to be extremely self-sufficient and rely on my own strength. I grew in trusting the Lord with everything and relying on him for wisdom, direction, and at many times physical and emotional strength.
• I need to memorize Bible verses instead of relying on “The Great Google”!
• Most importantly, I came home with a renewed vision for what the Lord is doing in the nations and a heart for his people all over the world; an increased desire to see all people come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.”