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We live in Honduras. We don't usually call ourselves missionaries for a number of reasons. I don't like the name tag, it's been misused for so long now it has lost it's relevance. It has been used by so many who are not actually missionaries that there has become a preconceived idea in peoples minds that is associated with the word, one I don't usually like to be associated with. It places people on pedestals, a very dangerous place to be. We didn't go through a missions organization with 501C3 status and all the required support raising to get here. Those are just some of the reasons we don't often refer to ourselves as missionaries.
However, it doesn't mean that we aren't missionaries, at least based on the true definition of the word. (I explain this more fully in a post I did in another blog I write.) We're around a lot of missionaries though and missionaries have their own way of talking. Special words we use, kind of like a techie or a mechanic does. Instead of using words like "gigs" or "thingamajigs" or crimpers" we use words like "calling" or "mission" or "work" to describe why we are here in another country. Personally, I've always hated Christian lingo, but sometimes it's the only way to get your point across, at least to other people in the same business.
You may not have heard this, but Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world per capita. Something like 90 people killed for every 100,000 each year. (We missionaries love to put that out there every chance we get despite the fact that most of us live behind walls with razor wire on it.) But here's the deal. Honduras really can be dangerous as are many other countries. As I write this there is a very real possibility that today there could be civil unrest. Yesterday was election day. It was a close race between two very dissimilar parties, both probably corrupt, both claiming victory.
A man whom I deeply respect, a pastor and missionary raised the question yesterday whether or not we, meaning missionaries, would run back home if things got rough here. It was a very valid question. To paraphrase his question it went kind of like this. "If you are really "called" here, if your "mission" really is the people of Honduras and you are certain that God has "called" you to this "work"....will you stay and risk your life for what you believe in and the people you serve?"
It's a good question. It is one that missions organizations should be asking their people as troubles around the world deepen. Are you there for the long haul? Will you be there when the going gets tough and the fun and adventure has worn off? When the bullets start flying? Will you stay if your support dries up?
My wife and I are in a little different situation than most missionaries are. We have never said we were called here. We are not living off of donations from people who are giving money to us for the sole purpose of sharing the Gospel in places they can't or won't go.
However, the longer we stay here, the more deeply we involve ourselves in the lives of people here, the more I can say that, yes, we are called here. Forever? Through thick and thin? Through the Good, the Bad and the Ugly? If we run out of money? I don't know the answer to these questions. But as my friend said. "The most dangerous place to be is outside the will of God."
So if God says, "Stay here," then we stay, even at personal risk to our own health and safety. We stay if we truly believe we are called. Bottom line.
Are you called?
However, it doesn't mean that we aren't missionaries, at least based on the true definition of the word. (I explain this more fully in a post I did in another blog I write.) We're around a lot of missionaries though and missionaries have their own way of talking. Special words we use, kind of like a techie or a mechanic does. Instead of using words like "gigs" or "thingamajigs" or crimpers" we use words like "calling" or "mission" or "work" to describe why we are here in another country. Personally, I've always hated Christian lingo, but sometimes it's the only way to get your point across, at least to other people in the same business.
You may not have heard this, but Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world per capita. Something like 90 people killed for every 100,000 each year. (We missionaries love to put that out there every chance we get despite the fact that most of us live behind walls with razor wire on it.) But here's the deal. Honduras really can be dangerous as are many other countries. As I write this there is a very real possibility that today there could be civil unrest. Yesterday was election day. It was a close race between two very dissimilar parties, both probably corrupt, both claiming victory.
A man whom I deeply respect, a pastor and missionary raised the question yesterday whether or not we, meaning missionaries, would run back home if things got rough here. It was a very valid question. To paraphrase his question it went kind of like this. "If you are really "called" here, if your "mission" really is the people of Honduras and you are certain that God has "called" you to this "work"....will you stay and risk your life for what you believe in and the people you serve?"
It's a good question. It is one that missions organizations should be asking their people as troubles around the world deepen. Are you there for the long haul? Will you be there when the going gets tough and the fun and adventure has worn off? When the bullets start flying? Will you stay if your support dries up?
My wife and I are in a little different situation than most missionaries are. We have never said we were called here. We are not living off of donations from people who are giving money to us for the sole purpose of sharing the Gospel in places they can't or won't go.
However, the longer we stay here, the more deeply we involve ourselves in the lives of people here, the more I can say that, yes, we are called here. Forever? Through thick and thin? Through the Good, the Bad and the Ugly? If we run out of money? I don't know the answer to these questions. But as my friend said. "The most dangerous place to be is outside the will of God."
So if God says, "Stay here," then we stay, even at personal risk to our own health and safety. We stay if we truly believe we are called. Bottom line.
Are you called?
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