Ken - Christian and Missionary Alliance
Ken - Christian and Missionary Alliance
Ken - Christian and Missionary Alliance
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Occasionally a chronic illness de-<br />
velops <strong>and</strong> missionary may be<br />
advised by doctors to remain in<br />
the homel<strong>and</strong> where treatment is<br />
readily accessible. Yet for some,<br />
the burden of the ministry compels<br />
the missionary to return to his<br />
field.<br />
“EAST IS EAST. . . ”<br />
Another area of suffering that<br />
missionaries face is that of cultural<br />
conflicts <strong>and</strong> misunderst<strong>and</strong>ings.<br />
No matter how strong our desire<br />
is to love our national brothers<br />
<strong>and</strong> sisters <strong>and</strong> to work with them,<br />
we are different in many areas:<br />
our outlook on life, our reactions<br />
to problems, our experiences, our<br />
education. Differences arise. There<br />
Missionaries also face<br />
cultural conflicts <strong>and</strong><br />
misunderst<strong>and</strong>ings.<br />
is tension, sometimes even broken<br />
fellowship. Often the giving <strong>and</strong><br />
taking process hurts.<br />
PREVALENCE OF POVERTY<br />
Finally, because we live <strong>and</strong><br />
work in a Third World country,<br />
we are daily confronted by poverty.<br />
The Pioneer, July 1985<br />
The needs around us are tremen-<br />
dous. They press us <strong>and</strong> depress us.<br />
Knowing how to share what we<br />
have, how to adjust our life style,<br />
when to give <strong>and</strong> to what extent<br />
causes much emotional suffering.<br />
NEEDED: INTERCESSORS<br />
<strong>Missionary</strong> suffering is, however,<br />
often God’s refining fire for His<br />
servants. The process is not easy,<br />
but it is a necessary one. You<br />
can intercede to our Father so<br />
that we will be able by His strength<br />
to pass victoriously through these<br />
tests.<br />
Some of you have become very<br />
special intercessors with whom we<br />
can be t oay honest in sharing our<br />
needs. You have a thorough grasp<br />
of our work <strong>and</strong> the situation in<br />
which God has placed us. You<br />
know exactly how to hold us up<br />
in prayer. We praise God for you.<br />
You have gone through many of<br />
our refming fires with us <strong>and</strong> then<br />
have rejoiced in our victories.<br />
Friends, pray for us so that we<br />
wil keep on rejoicing as we share<br />
in the sufferings of Christ. t<br />
~~<br />
Beth Dnrmmond. MK <strong>and</strong> mother of<br />
four. MKs. ministers in Surobnya. Em<br />
Java, with her husb<strong>and</strong> Rick. Rick<br />
presently ir rhe co-ordinotor of the<br />
Jaw 500 program.<br />
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