"When you begin to think outside the box, you often become some other "leaders" lousy follower. That usually costs something" (Andy Rayner)

"Our guardian angels are bored." (Mike Foster)

It's where I feel I'm at these days. “In the second half of life, it is good just to be a part of the general dance. We do not have to stand out, make defining moves, or be better than anyone else on the dance floor. Life is more participatory than assertive, and there is no need for strong or further self-definition” (Falling Upward. Richard Rohr.120).

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Getting Dirty in the Trenches of Mission - Not all are Able!

We were hosting a 10 day missions team from the US to assist with our church planting work in Ivory Coast west Africa, among the Agni. It was one of the first realizations for me that not all people can live, work and minister among the poor and needy in Africa.

Some can come and observe, but to get their hands dirty in the trenches by even the human touch is beyond them. One lady on the team was helping us line up people so they could be examined by medical doctors at an outdoor clinic. Then the lady started to scream, cry, and jump around hysterically.

We carried her off into the church building as it was causing quite a stir. We got her calmed down enough to find out the problem. One of the Africans had touched her. She could only think of how many germs she had on her now. Only after she was spray with an antiseptic spray did she finally calm down.

Missionaries are not afraid to touch the people they work with. I was visiting with the African men who were standing around, and the Africans were all talking about how this lady was suddenly possessed by a bush spirit. I did not have the heart to tell them the truth and so I never told them the difference. The truth would be to insulting."

Andy Rayner Ivory Coast 1997

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