"Who? Me!!?" -Chapter 4

To gain a better idea of western missionary efforts, here are several examples of those who've given  their lives for Christ in other lands and how they've worked.  May they encourage you to similar commitment and service.

ROWLAND BINGHAM (1872-1942) helped to open Africa to the gospel especially in Sudan (SIM).  He declared, "I will open Africa to the gospel or die trying."  And that he did.  He had two failed attempts but persevered and forged ahead to a third attempt which was successful.  He lived to see 10,000 people converted to Christ and nearly 1000 churches established...all because he would not give up! (reference:  The Smoke of a Thousand Villages by David & Naomi Shibley, page 13).

AMY CARMICHAEL (India); Gladys Alward, Lottie Moon and Hudson Taylor (China), all realized early on in their respective mission fields that they had to adopt local dress and even hair style in Hudson Taylor's case (he grew a queue of hair Mandarin style); these so as NOT to distract from the message of Jesus.  People would focus on the novelty of western dress instead of the Word of God, thus the local 'adoptions' which minimized the diversion.

 

In the case of ADONIRAM JUDSON (1788-1850), who went to Burma (present day Myanmar), he realized that people were most comfortable in a 'zayat' (similar to a community center; shelter for travelers, and assembly place for religious occasions).  He then used one in which to share God's Word rather than in a church.
   



Many western missionaries were also looking for new and better ways in which to communicate the message of Jesus and made great efforts to do it "the local way".  Indeed, LOTTIE MOON of the USA is quoted as saying that the new church should be "as free from foreign interference as possible".
(The Smoke of a Thousand Villages by David & Naomi Shibley, pg 64) 

Others have spent their lifetimes in translating Scriptures into local languages.  This entails not only learning the local language fluently but learning the culture with is legends and folklore,
 thoroughly.

  Then the painstaking work of the actual translation and engaging the local peoples' help for verification of meaning and sense.  In many cases where the language is as yet unwritten, the translator has to first make up the alphabet before any translation can even commence.

Further to that the locals have to be taught to read their own language.  A mammoth and noble task to which to be called.

Some missionaries have had very discouraging experiences working "very hard with few earthly rewards" (no grand titles to their name, for instance).  Yet they persevered through it all as they stored up their treasure in heaven; reward enough.  

That was said of SAMUEL ZWEMER (1867-1952) who indeed, even himself, felt he had an impossible task that God had called him to yet he was willing to answer that call (to Arabia) with the aid of the Holy Spirit.  (The Smoke of a Thousand Villages by David & Naomi Shibley, pgs 121-125)

 
Two examples of non-western missionaries are up next.  Many may have heard of the mighty man of God, John Sung and his missionary efforts.  The focus here will be on the one who followed in his steps and of whom you may not have ever heard.


He is the committed, devoted and disciplined LIM PUAY HIAN of China.  He was equally a "mighty man of God"; that is, according to one Timothy Tow of Singapore who wrote Puay Hian's biography in In John Sung's Steps the Story of Lim Puay Hian

After much time spent spreading the gospel message in China, Lim Puay Hian went to several SEA countries.  Some of those included:  Burma, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia.

Having left his wife and five children in Burma (Myanmar) he visited those countries.  He got "marooned" in Brunei where he was hidden away for about three years but eventually got away to Sarawak, to the town of Serikey.  

He never stopped his preaching and teaching and it was greatly used of the Lord in these and surrounding areas.  The Lord, all the while, kept him from the Japanese clutches during WWII.

Puay Hian was willing to spend and be spent for his Master even to the point of self-sacrifice.  He had no way of knowing the fate of his wife and children all those years.  When he finally made his way back to Burma at the end of WWII, he learned that his wife and three of his children had been tragically killed by a bomb.  This did not deter him from further service to the Lord even though it meant that now his nine year old daughter would accompany him on his many journeyings.

The point here is to show examples of God's children willing to have sustained endurance  to the full extent of God's demands on them whether as a western missionary or not.  Learn of them.  Learn from them.  Learn of their commitments, sacrifices, etc; fall on your knees, face to ground, before your Holy and Righteous God and see how YOU are going to serve Him.

When God calls, answer not, "Who?  Me!!?" but rather, "Here I am Lord, send me."  May the Lord richly bless you as you go all out for Him.  Amen.

                                                                 
                                                                   ~ERC  2015~