That’s right, only 9 days.

The challenging part about knowing you’re about to leave to be a missionary in a foreign country, for me, is different than you’d think. Not the language. Not being away from friends and family and Wal-Mart. Not the money. Not food. Not the weather. Not traveling. Not safety. Yes, all of that does concern me, but the most challenging part is realizing my life doesn’t begin as a missionary in 9 days. It should be constant. You’ve probably heard of people say we need to be missionaries in our own backyard. It’s true. You shouldn’t have to travel out of your city, or neighborhood for that matter, to serve others and share the gospel. Ever since I knew I was going back to Nicaragua, this has been in the back of my mind.

I remember when my 11 weeks in Nicaragua were wrapping up in July 2009, earlier this year, I was afraid of coming home. First, I was afraid. So many things had changed for me, and I didn’t know what life was supposed to look like. Second, I was….afraid, again. Afraid that I’d lose everything i’d “attained” over those weeks there. The closeness to God, mainly. Third, I had no idea what i was supposed to DO. I didn’t feel like I had anything to come home to, anything to give me a sense of purpose.

God answered all of those fears. I came home, and things just fell in to place. He provided a thriving college ministry at our church, Momentum, that continued to help me grow spiritually. He worked miracles in my life. He healed broken relationships, and cultivated new ones. My closeness to Him taught me to listen and see God in the things I never notices before, the ordinary. He worked freakin’ miracles!

I found a sense of purpose, in photography, that I never had before, and discovered that it really is something God has gifted me with, and something I can use to glorify him. (gallery here)

God told me to go back to Nicaragua before I ever left. I know that. Things I didn’t know were: he was gonna send Kelly, too, we’d be joining a bigger team there, not returning to what we left, and that he was gonna work freakin’ miracles.

I started raising support as soon as I could. Thinking originally that I would be in Nicaragua until August, I thought I should get monthly sponsors. Since then, God has blessed me with almost 30 monthly sponsors, and countless one-time contributors. Not only did he bless me with sponsors and contributions, but provided for my basic needs as well.

I came home feeling like God was leading me away from the life I had been leading before I left, and part of that, I felt, was not going back to my old job. Well, it wasn’t really available to me when I got home, so that made it real easy. I relied on God more than I ever had without that. He sent me job after job fixing computers and taking pictures. It wasn’t anywhere near what I was used to making, but I never went without. I truly believe God used that to show me that he really would care for me if I was obedient to Him.

We had a “Going away Fiesta” / Fundraiser on December 3, 2009, and God used it to bless us even more. We were astounded with how many people showed up to support us, and how God used them to support us. Seeing that many people show up, for the sole purpose of supporting YOU, is a huge thing. It’s one thing to know the God of the universe loves you, but that is so hard to comprehend. When you actually SEE a gym full of people that love and support you, it is so impactful. A company donated almost 800 cookies, Chic-fil-a donated condiments and tea, Burger King sold us burgers and hamburger buns at wholesale, and Harris Teeter donated hot dog buns and lemonade. We only paid full price for the hotdogs and the chips. We raised over $900 profit that night. I remember laying in bed that night in amazement at what God had done for us.

If you’re reading this, you’re a part of all of this, which makes you legally bound to continue and read my blog. It’s true. It’’s in the constitution. Okay, not really, nut don’t you want to?!?! Sure you do.

I’ll keep you posted. He’s gonna do great things. Just watch.

Evan “Oso” Dixon
Missionary to Nicaragua
His will. His way. All for His kingdom.
evan@evandixon.com
704.765.1956 - office/international