Meditations of a Missionary

This are from my Cross-cultural Evangelism reading for the week. I thought it was pretty convicting. Hope you enjoy, are challenged, emboldened, enabled, and then proactive with it.

"Though I speak in the dialect of the people I serve and can preach with the eloquent power of a fiery evangelist; though as a surgeon I can operate with skill; though as an agriculturist I can raise high-grade river rice; though as a teacher I can deliver learned lectures, but do not have love, my message is empty.
And though I have the talent of a diplomatic organizer and administrator in councils and meetings; though I have all the confidence that I need to raise large funds, but do not have love, I am good for nothing.
And though I share my possessions and give money to the poor, but do not help my brother and sister to become strong, independent followers of Christ, I achieve absolutely nothing.
Love, if it is genuine in the life and work of a missionary, is patient and constructive; it does not seek for position and prestige. Love is glad to see a competent national in charge, and envies not. Love seeks to train an indigenous leadership; it does not cherish inflated ideas of its own importance; it is never anxious to impress. Love tries to identify itself with people and is never arrogant and ethnocentric.
Love thatis genuine does not belittle. It does not compile statistics of another's mistakes. Love seeks to bear joy an dsorrow, failure and success, in helpful ways. Love is not easily provoked when there is a difference of opinion or cultural differences arise; and when rumors are spread, love believes the very best.
Love that is genuine is a partnership. It is better to fail with a national in charge than to succeed without him. Love is not touchy; it never hides hurt feelings. Love never barricades understanding; it rejoices in sharing the truth.
Love keeps an open mind; is willing to attempt new methods and ways of doing things. Love does not consider the past so precious that it limits new vision. Love gives courage to change old ways when necessary; is flexible in cultural context of the national's society. Unless we are prepared to adapt and cahnge, we shall have defenders of an old system but no new voice; institutional caretakers but no truth seekers; we shall have preachers but no prophets. We shall keep the bush primly pruned by hired gardeners using expensive equipment, but within the bush there will be no burning fire.
Love that trusts like little children never fails. Large institutions may cease; even heavily subsidized schools and colleges that impart knowledge may close. If wisdom gained there fails to lead students to Christ the Savior, it would be better to entrust such education to the government; for our knowledge is always incomplete without Him who is "the Way, the Truth and the Life." Love that has no other desire but to trust, never fails.
We are in a period of change and transition. The post colonial era is upon us. And where is the person who konws where we are going or what will happen in the world of mission and evangelization? Here on earth, we can only vaguely comprehend.
When Christian missions were yet at the stage of childhood, the methods of proclaiming Christ's gospel were simple and sometimes naive. Authority was in the hands of a few. But now that missions have grown for over a century twoard maturity, they must put away childish dependence. There must be planted deep within the soil of every people, a new, vibrant, indigenous church of the Master; one that is not only self-supporting, self-governing and self-propogating, but one that is also self-theologizing.
But whatever happens, whatever direction the winds of change may take, there is this certainty: Our Lord has not, and will not leave Himself without a witness. Through His creation and redemption He is perfecting His plan in and through history, even though everything now looks confused, baffling and sometimes hopeless.
Be sure of this: institutions will pass away, but labor wrought by hands which have shared with those in need, and proclaimed the message of the saving love of Christ, who died and rose again and lives as Lord of life, will never, never pass away. IN this life there are only three enduring qualities: Faith, Hope and Love; these three. But the greatest of these is Love."
~Heibert, Paul G. Anthropological Insights for Missionaries. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic Publishing, 1985) pp 297-98

"We need to hear anew Christ's Great Commission: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And we must respond in a life of discipleship that is willing to bear the cost and suffering demanded by obedience to God's call. We dare not be sidetracked from that responsibility.
Canon Theodore Wedel told a parable of a dangerous seacoast where many sailing ships were wrecked and many lives were lost (Sweazey 1968:12-13). Volunteers from a nearby fishing village again and again braved the storm and rescued many from drowning, and those who were saved often joined the rescue corps.
One day a volunteer suggested that with practice they could do an even better job. So in summer the rescue crews practiced rowing and throwing life preservers and were later able to save more lives. Another volunteer thought they should build a boat house near the coast to keep the rescue boats. That way they would not waste time bringing their boats from the village. After a time, a third volunteer suggested that they build a shelter for the people they rescued, for they oftehn died of the cold. And another recommended adding a kitchen to make soup to warm the storm victims. All these innovations added to the effectivenes sof their work.
Later a rescuer suggested that they wait in the boat house during the storms so that they would be ready when a ship was wrecked. Another proposed adding a game room s othat they would not be bored, and a third that they expand the kitchen so that they would have hot drinks and food while they waited in the boat house. The members took great pleasure in their building projects and added a lounge and a fine restauraunt. The rescue station grew in prestige, and many more joined it on that account.
As time passed, one member observed that rescuing was a highly specialized task and that only those highly trained for it should be allowed to do the job. So they hired young men to go out in the storm while the rest cheered them on from the rescue complex. Finally the members had a meeting and decided to discontinue the lifesaving feature of the "club" altogether. It was too costly, and they all were too busy with related committee meetings and other activities.
A number protested that this abandoned their primary purpose, so they resigned and started a real lifesaving station down the coast. Once again they went out into the storm and waves to rescue those who were drowning.
One day a volunteer suggested that with some practice they could do an even better job. So in the summer the rescue crews practiced rowing and throwing life preservers, and they rescued more people. Soon the crews from the club up the coast challenged them to a contest, for although the group had given up actual lifesaving, it retained "rescuing" as a summer sport. And when a rescue station won, its members were given a trophy to take home.
Later someone in the newer group suggested that they build a boat house near the coast to keep their boats, and another added that they needed a kitchen and shelter for those who were rescued. After a time, they added a game room and restaurant for those wating on the coast during the storms.
Eventually, rescuing became a highly trained skill and specialists were hired to do the job. And one day the members decided to discontinue the lifesaving because it was costly and they were all busy. A number protested and moved down the coast to start a true rescue station.
We know the rest of the story.
It is said that if we visit that seacoast today, we will find a whole series of exclusive clubs, up and down the coast. None of them is much interested in lifesaving anymore, although there are still many shipwrecks in those waters, and many people are drowning."
Hiebert, Pages 295-297