Though I had felt called to missions since I was 17, It was encouraging to note what a huge part short term mission trips played in encouraging me to become a Tentmaker in Germany, where I spent the better part of the last 3 years. 

Tentmakers are just people who use and view their work and skills for and in light of the kingdom (cross culturally).  We are "The major Christian mission force in the world [who] can often go to places where traditional church planters and evangelists may not. (The Cape Town Commitment II-A-3, from the Lausanne Movement). Short term missions, particularly those related to our passions or vocations are a great way for potential Tentmakers to consider long term mission work.

My first two short term trips were to Ukraine in 2017 and 2018 as a junior doctor with a U.S. medical missions organisation, Global Health Outreach. I've heard people question the usefulness of short term mission trips, but our group saw people hear the gospel for the first time and come to faith. I saw, what felt like, the fingertips of Jesus working right in front of me. It was that incredible high (despite the oh so many bodily discomforts we experienced) of feeling so close to Jesus, that confirmed for me that I definitely wanted to be on the mission field.

Following my time in Ukraine, I got in touch with ECM: "Hi! I love Jesus, I'm a doctor and I love the people of Europe. I have a three weeks holiday coming up, is there any way I could sweep some floors or do anything with some missionaries in that time?” (a summary of my impressive email to ECM’S director).

That's how I ended up on my third short term stint in Albania. This time, however, I had the honour of being amongst an amazing team of long term missionaries doing life. I watched ordinary people use what they had as passions and skills cross culturally for Jesus. In Albania I found the courage to say "Hey, I could do that with Jesus too" and execute this crazy notion of becoming a cross-cultural worker myself.