Many, many years ago, some missionaries would choose to pack their stuff in a simple wooden coffin instead of in suitcases. The regions God called them to often did not participate in the practice of burying their dead. The missionaries left home knowing that the trip was in all likelihood a one-way trip because of several factors.  First was the cost and the extensive time to arrive, as well as the reality of disease, persecution, and finally the complete lack of medical care.  Aside from sporadic letters through the postal service, the missionaries who were called to the ends of the earth were so far away they were rarely heard from again. Because of that, they would often write and leave their “last letter”, a letter to be opened when they died or failed to come home at some point by their loved ones.  The boldness and beauty of that mindset overwhelms me.

The practice of going with a casket and writing a last letter have obviously fallen out of favor for most missionary’s.  There are significantly fewer places that are near certain death for Christ followers, and since we now fly instead of travel by ship, a wooden casket is a bit hard to carry to the airport.   Email, skype, and even twitter make worldwide communication possible almost anywhere.

However, I wanted to share the words from a young woman who did write a “last letter” before she left on what was to be her last trip.  She was killed along with three other Southern Baptist workers as they were surveying sites for humanitarian projects in northern Iraq in 2004.   Here are her final words to her pastor.

Dear Pastor,

You should only be opening this in the event of death.

“When God calls there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the nations.

I wasn’t called to a place; I was called to Him.

To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward, His glory my reward ….

THE MISSIONARY HEART

Cares more than some think is wise
Risks more than some think is safe
Dreams more than some think is practical
Expects more than some think is possible

I was called not to comfort or to success but to obedience ….

There is no Joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him. I love you and my church family.

In His care,

Salaam,

Karen”

Not much to add to that.