Living on the field

This blog is more of a confession then any thing else; we have only been living in Africa for a couple of months, but I am realizing some truths. In the past I have had more of a bad attitude toward full time missionaries then a good one, but our short time living on the field has already taught me some things…

First of all, let me say that Lisa and I do not see ourselves as missionaries; we see ourselves just doing what we have always done, just on another continent. (Maybe even that is wrong and based on our misconceptions and stories we have heard of what “Full time Missionaries” really do). Now, there are some missionaries that mostly have meetings, hang out in air condition offices and talk about what everybody else is not doing, but you find that all over the world, and in every profession.

The “Missionaries” that we work with really don’t have much time off. They work all through the week, 10 to 12 hour days, spending most of their own money on orphans, depending on people that really don’t know how to work and believing God will make up the difference.
 He does, of course, but seemingly never on time and never enough. They work as unto the Lord and they do not do it for the money or for glory…

Until now, I have always done “Short term Missions” going on a trip for 10 days, getting a vision for a place and empowering others to invest and do the same.
  It is effective and is a very vital part of the Christian walk, (mostly for the person going on the trip).
  However, it does not give you the real picture of what missions really is, and what “Full time missionaries” really go through. When the romance wares off, the emotions are gone, and all your friends and family are back home, the reality of a place like Africa, (Death, AIDS, fatherless children everywhere, hopelessness every day) sinks in and you have to make a choice. Is this what I am called to forever, and can I really make a difference?

Some of the most discouraging realities so far, and the things you do not realize on a short term missions trip, are the people that don’t want you here. The local witch doctors, predators and thugs that know you are in their country to expose and bring life to those they prey on.
  That is discouraging but not as disconcerting as the Church that sees us more as a burden then a gift. They have seen many come with their promises and leave without saying good bye.
  As well as the people back home that think the same way I used too; missionaries can be lazy, don’t have the stress and expense it seems we have and sometimes are just hiding from reality… Lord, thank you for rebuking me and please forgive my ignorance.

Lisa and I have found that are cost of living hasn’t changed much at all; gas, groceries, school fees, many extra mouths to feed are more expensive, but it balances out with rent, phone and electric bills; I guess we all have judgment in our hearts, I had to walk in the shoes of others to see mine.

Life on the field, I wouldn’t trade it for all the influence, power, money and fame in the world.