Ask a Missionary - Catch The Fire

worked in stealth mode. In closed countries or hostile cultures,
some missionaries say that they work in business or in medicine or
in education and don’t reveal their missionary intentions.
“But in our province, we had been forthright about our work.
We developed an open relationship with the governor, health
officials, and local government leaders. We always asked their
permission and advice before moving into a new area or holding
a mobile clinic. So, as usual, I sent documents to the governor of
Phil’s target province. I simply described the medical clinic work
and our intent to work in his province, if it were agreeable.
“Phil was pretty nervous when, two weeks later, we got a
phone call from that province’s governor, telling us to report to
his office and explain our intentions. Three days after the call,
Phil, one of our Thai Christian leaders, and I bounced across miles
and miles of jungle roads to pay what I expected to be a normal
ceremonial visit to the governor.
“We arrived at the governor’s office after hours of sweltering
travel. I was somewhat surprised when we were asked to wait
outside his office, which was unusual when compared with the
normal reception from hospitality-conscious Thai officials. After
nearly an hour, a military guard appeared and directed us through
large double doors into the gloom of the governor’s office.
“The governor sat behind his desk, staring at a sheaf of documents.
He didn’t even look up. So the three of us just stood there,
awkward and suddenly very nervous.
“Without a greeting, without looking at us, he growled, ‘You
people are missionaries who want to convert these people, are
you not?’
“My heart bounded into my throat, and my stealth-mode
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