Category: Missions & Cross-Cultural
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Is the West Best?
Anyone working in missions will come face to face with the reality of racism at some point. Historically it has been an issue of skin color. In most nations black was wrong and white was right. I live and work in South Africa. Perhaps there has never been a nation where racism was more evident…
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Valued for More Than Their Money
There is a subtle mindset which can creep into our thinking as missionaries and social activists. We can begin to think that there are those who are called to go, and those who are called to give. Jesus himself said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the…
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When a National Disappoints You.
If you have been in missions any length of time, you have experienced disappointment with a national person you’ve trusted. It’s not a question of if, but when. Someone will break your trust, they might steal from you, or worse. I know of national workers who were entrusted with a ministry only to overthrow the…
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You Know Christmas is Coming When…
What are the signs which point to Christmas coming? In every culture there are different visuals which alert us to the coming of this holiday season. When I first moved to South Africa, Christmas snuck up on me because I did not see the normal American signs. Once I learned the new signs, I could…
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Passing the Torch of Succession
Missionaries are good at many things. We are adaptable, we are frugal, and we often carry a global perspective. In my experience, one area we are weak in is in planning for the future. Our strength lies in our ability to respond and change, but at times this keeps our focus on the here and…