Ask a Missionary - Catch The Fire

missionary friend Phil almost choked. I was tempted to tell the
governor about our humanitarian motives, our medical works,
our development projects, our cooperation within the government
system. But it was as if the truth had to burst out of my
mouth. ‘Yes, sir. Our desire is to share the love of Jesus Christ
through medical care.’
“Dead silence. Then he glanced up from his papers, looked me
eye-to-eye—and burst into laughter. I almost had a heart attack.
He stood up, still laughing, and said, ‘That was my test of you. I’ve
already checked with the provincial governors where you have
previously worked. I wanted to see if you would be honest with
me and admit your actual motives.’
“Then he sat in his executive chair and happily asked us to tell
him about other projects we’d done in Thailand. So we told him
about our HIV/AIDS ministry, our drug rehab programs, and the
medical teaching we offer. With all of us breathing again, we had a
marvelous conversation on why Jesus Christ is bringing health and
hope to the Thai, which means ‘the free.’
“Finally, the governor took out his pen, signed his name
at the bottom of the mobile-clinic proposal, and added a note:
‘Whatever Dr. Gibson wants to do in this province, he has the
permission of the governor.’ Then he called the head of public
health and instructed her to help with logistic or hospitality needs
we might have in his province.”
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In the darkening evening, the good doctor in turn asked me a
simple question. “What does that story from Thailand suggest to
you as you explore your part in God’s global plan?”
THE CHALLENGE: Moving Forward | 187