At my grandparents' house in Taylors, South Carolina, my family was watching a special on the History Channel about the war in Iraq. I was captivated by the content of this well done documentary; but I was not expecting to learn a valuable lesson about missions.
One part of the documentary focused on a certain Marine unit's battle plan in a particularly volatile and violent part of Baghdad. Because this unit had suffered many casualties from attacks by Al Qaeda insurgents, their commander took the following approach: patrol the assigned area for the minimum amount of time required, and then retire to the Forward Operations Base (FOB)- a secure station of operation. The area remained one of the worst areas in Baghdad for the duration of the time that this commander was in charge. Additionally, the Iraqi nationals, whose loyalty the U.S. was desperately trying to win, were not impressed by this "compound mentality." Eventually, he was replaced.
The new commander took a completely different, and somewhat radical, approach. He and the men in his unit began living amongst the people 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They only entered their FOB when new supplies were needed. They lived in a house in one of the common neighborhoods in that part of the city. Eventually, the Iraqi nationals grew to accept their presence, and even accept them as friends. This would eventually lead to Iraqi cooperation in defeating Al Qaeda in that particular part of Baghdad.
So what does this have to do with missions? I am reminded of what Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 1:5: "...as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." Paul was speaking to the Thessalonian Christians whom he had personally led to Christ; and basically he was telling them, "You all knew the kind of men we were. You knew we cared about you. You know we were there with pure motives." How could those Thessalonian Christians know what manner of men Paul and Timothy were? The answer is that Paul and Timothy spent time with them. And I don't mean an hour a week at church; I mean they probably spent hours every day with them, teaching them both in word and by example. Paul and Timothy took the approach of that second Marine commander.
I wonder how many missionaries have the mentality of that first Marine commander. I wonder if there are missionaries who refuse to get out of their comfort zones. I wonder if there are missionaries who don't learn the language. I wonder if there are missionaries who say, "It's just too dangerous", or, "It just can't be done here." (I am not discrediting the fact that some fields are harder than others; I am saying that a field's difficulty should not cause us to retreat.) I wonder if there are missionaries who refuse to learn the culture of their field of service. If these missionaries exist, it is no wonder the people they claim to be reaching are still unreached.
By God's grace, I want to approach our ministry in Cambodia like that second Marine commander. I want to approach our ministry in Cambodia the way Paul approached his ministry in Thessalonica. I know there must be a balance in our ministry time and family time. I am already asking God for wisdom to know how to maintain the integrity and sanctity of our home, while at the same time not appearing to be unapproachable. But we must not forget that we are called to be salt and light in this world, and that requires that we be visible, approachable ambassadors for Christ.
Just like the situation that changed for the better in Baghdad after that unit began living amongst the people- to the point that the Iraqi people took part in winning a victory over Al Qaeda- I believe if we as missionaries will adopt that approach for our ministries, the people whom we reach with the Gospel will help us win great spiritual victories in enemy territory. It is interesting to note that without the Iraqis' cooperation, those victories over Al Qaeda would not have been possible. And if we do not disciple the nationals whom we lead to Christ, and train them to be spiritually mature Christians who will help us reach their country with the Gospel, we will not see the victories that we should see.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
What Am I Complaining About?
Today, I took my son to Eastside Pediatrics in Taylors, South Carolina for a follow up visit concerning an ear infection he had a few days ago. Our appointment was at 10:50 a.m. I arrived punctually at 10:45, expecting to be admitted into the room within ten minutes. The ten minutes passed, and soon another ten minutes passed. Nearly an hour had passed. I went from being slightly impatient to being downright angry about this unexpected wait. "How can they just let me wait like this?" I thought. "This is ridiculous!" I continued. The nurse finally opened the door and said, "Judson Phillips." I thought, "It's about stinking time!"
About 8:00 this evening, my friend Koumaly Thongdy emailed me an update about our dear friends, the Keos, first-term missionaries to Cambodia. Mrs. Keo delivered their fourth child, Sophea Sharon Keo, eleven weeks early. You can read more details about little Sophea in the previous post. In that update, Bro. David Board included a picture of the pediatric hospital in Phnom Penh where little Sophia was taken. Here is a picture of that hospital, and some of Bro. Board's comments.
"One of the men who attends our church works at the hospital as a pediatrics nurse. He has shared with us the terrible stress that the medical staff is under do to the volume of patients who must be cared for on a daily basis. The line begins to form at about 4:00 a.m. Every day an average of 1500 children are "cared for" at this hospital. If you were able to see the conditions firsthand you would certainly be more thankful for what you have been given in the United States. We often complain over the slightest things. Yet these hundreds of people who are standing in line from early morning until late evening will consider themselves very fortunate to be able to get their child into this hospital. It gives us all something to think about. Please pray for baby Sophea, the Keos, and all the ladies who are serving the Lord by caring for this baby." -Bro. David Board
Needless to say, after reading this commentary, seeing this picture, and learning of the Keos' situation, I felt utterly ridiculous and extremely guilty about complaining earlier today at the doctor's office. Just something for you to think about the next time you start to complain. (:
Pray for the Keos
The following is a prayer update concerning our dear friends, the Keos, first-term missionaries to Cambodia. Please pray for this precious family.
As you know the Keo family arrived here nearly a month ago to begin their first term as missionaries. It seems as though God has been allowing them to undergo serious testing almost from day one. We mentioned two weeks ago that Bro. Keo's mother came with them from the United States in order to help care for Mrs. Keo after she gave birth to their fourth child. However, she suffered a stroke just over two weeks ago. She is now bed-ridden in the Keo's home and requires around the clock care in order to even perform the most simple of tasks. Pray that God will provide wisdom to the Keo's regarding this situation.
Last Saturday Mrs. Keo gave birth, pre-maturely, to their baby. Mrs. Keo was just 29 weeks along and the baby weighs around 2.2 lbs. This pre-mature birth came as a great surprise to us all. At this point the baby is in the national government hospital here in Phnom Penh. We have been told that this is the best Pediatrics facility in the country. However, the things that we have all witnessed regarding the standard of care has been appalling to say the least. Were this baby in the United States she would have been immediately admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. One would expect to find, at a minimum, the following items in a pediatrics hospital no matter where it is in the world: water, baby formula, bottles, blankets, a pillow, a clean environment, an incubator, nurses, and a doctor who knows even the basics about medicine and who will provide advice to the family. Sad to say none of these things exist in this hospital. The baby was placed in a wooden box and set on a table in a room with many other babies. The doctor might come around every four hours to make sure the baby is still alive and that is it. In the past week only one doctor showed up who even wore a stethoscope. The baby is unable to breathe on her own and requires 24-hour care. The ladies from our church and two other churches here in Phnom Penh have been staying with the baby and manually pumping air into her lungs. Three ladies stay at the bed side at all times. So far it seems like everyone is "hanging in there." We are so thankful for the ladies at Missionary Rodney Ruppel and Missionary Kounaro Keo's churches. They have so selflessly given their time to help care for the baby. Several of the security guards at the hospital have spoken to our ladies and asked why there are so many different people coming to help this one baby. They asked our ladies this question: "Are you all Christians?" We know that people are watching and are curious. Please help pray for the baby, the Keo family, and the ladies to be able to come through this trial with a good testimony.
One of the men who attends our church works at the hospital as a pediatrics nurse. He has shared with us the terrible stress that the medical staff is under due to the volume of patients who must be cared for on a daily basis. The line begins to form at about 4:00 a.m. Every day an average of 1500 children are "cared for" at this hospital. If you were able to see the conditions firsthand you would certainly be more thankful for what you have been given in the United States. We often complain over the slightest things. Yet these hundreds of people who are standing in line from early morning until late evening will consider themselves very fortunate to be able to get their child into this hospital. It gives us all something to think about. Please pray for baby Sophea, the Keos, and all the ladies who are serving the Lord by caring for this baby.
We do have ONE THING here that America does not have - Monkeys in the hospital! Sophea is on the 3rd floor. The other day a monkey came walking into the room and everyone began screaming. (as though they had never seen a monkey before) Someone scared him out of the room. Then about an hour later the monkey returned with some of its friends! Never a dull moment here in Asia!
Please continue to pray for the following people to be saved: 1. Ky (24 year old man with a JW background) 2. Sopheak (29 year old former monk) 3. Sareth (64 year old husband of Vuthy) 4. Sopheap (early 30's - wife of Sinath) 5. Channa & SreyRoeth (young couple in the early 20's)
Because of God's grace,
Dave, Debbie, Joshua, Jeremy, and Jason
Last Saturday Mrs. Keo gave birth, pre-maturely, to their baby. Mrs. Keo was just 29 weeks along and the baby weighs around 2.2 lbs. This pre-mature birth came as a great surprise to us all. At this point the baby is in the national government hospital here in Phnom Penh. We have been told that this is the best Pediatrics facility in the country. However, the things that we have all witnessed regarding the standard of care has been appalling to say the least. Were this baby in the United States she would have been immediately admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. One would expect to find, at a minimum, the following items in a pediatrics hospital no matter where it is in the world: water, baby formula, bottles, blankets, a pillow, a clean environment, an incubator, nurses, and a doctor who knows even the basics about medicine and who will provide advice to the family. Sad to say none of these things exist in this hospital. The baby was placed in a wooden box and set on a table in a room with many other babies. The doctor might come around every four hours to make sure the baby is still alive and that is it. In the past week only one doctor showed up who even wore a stethoscope. The baby is unable to breathe on her own and requires 24-hour care. The ladies from our church and two other churches here in Phnom Penh have been staying with the baby and manually pumping air into her lungs. Three ladies stay at the bed side at all times. So far it seems like everyone is "hanging in there." We are so thankful for the ladies at Missionary Rodney Ruppel and Missionary Kounaro Keo's churches. They have so selflessly given their time to help care for the baby. Several of the security guards at the hospital have spoken to our ladies and asked why there are so many different people coming to help this one baby. They asked our ladies this question: "Are you all Christians?" We know that people are watching and are curious. Please help pray for the baby, the Keo family, and the ladies to be able to come through this trial with a good testimony.
One of the men who attends our church works at the hospital as a pediatrics nurse. He has shared with us the terrible stress that the medical staff is under due to the volume of patients who must be cared for on a daily basis. The line begins to form at about 4:00 a.m. Every day an average of 1500 children are "cared for" at this hospital. If you were able to see the conditions firsthand you would certainly be more thankful for what you have been given in the United States. We often complain over the slightest things. Yet these hundreds of people who are standing in line from early morning until late evening will consider themselves very fortunate to be able to get their child into this hospital. It gives us all something to think about. Please pray for baby Sophea, the Keos, and all the ladies who are serving the Lord by caring for this baby.
We do have ONE THING here that America does not have - Monkeys in the hospital! Sophea is on the 3rd floor. The other day a monkey came walking into the room and everyone began screaming. (as though they had never seen a monkey before) Someone scared him out of the room. Then about an hour later the monkey returned with some of its friends! Never a dull moment here in Asia!
Please continue to pray for the following people to be saved: 1. Ky (24 year old man with a JW background) 2. Sopheak (29 year old former monk) 3. Sareth (64 year old husband of Vuthy) 4. Sopheap (early 30's - wife of Sinath) 5. Channa & SreyRoeth (young couple in the early 20's)
Because of God's grace,
Dave, Debbie, Joshua, Jeremy, and Jason
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