This is so true. My husband and I called it "suffering for suffering's sake" and we pushed against it. We were those "exciting" missionaries out in the Belizean bush, living on rainwater, generators, and in huts. The missionaries we served with highlighted these deficits, but you know what? They didn't serve. We were Americans in the jungle, and sometimes Americans needed to go to the city and eat meat, have a Coke, and be in AC. The real, true work was found in our simple day-to-day connections with Belizeans. Sometimes, these connections happened in a restaurant where the AC was blowing, drinking a Coke and eating an American-style burger.
First, so jealous you got to be at the Festival of Faith and Writing (at my alma mater!) Would have loved to have met you in person too.
More to the point, this really resonated with me as a missionary kid. My parents served for over 30 years in France, and we all liked to joke that the "real" missionaries were in Africa. When you said "I could not recognize the hierarchy of place and difficulty that radical Christianity had built into my pursuit of ministry" you really hit the nail on the head. It took me a long time to understand that the "go big for God or go home" mentality was getting in the way of a quiet life of service and generosity.
You’re in San Diego, right? I’m in Palm Springs, so maybe there will still be an opportunity to meet! And I’m glad my thoughts rang true to you. It’s been quite the process to untangle these assumptions.
This is so true. My husband and I called it "suffering for suffering's sake" and we pushed against it. We were those "exciting" missionaries out in the Belizean bush, living on rainwater, generators, and in huts. The missionaries we served with highlighted these deficits, but you know what? They didn't serve. We were Americans in the jungle, and sometimes Americans needed to go to the city and eat meat, have a Coke, and be in AC. The real, true work was found in our simple day-to-day connections with Belizeans. Sometimes, these connections happened in a restaurant where the AC was blowing, drinking a Coke and eating an American-style burger.
Yes, to all of this!
First, so jealous you got to be at the Festival of Faith and Writing (at my alma mater!) Would have loved to have met you in person too.
More to the point, this really resonated with me as a missionary kid. My parents served for over 30 years in France, and we all liked to joke that the "real" missionaries were in Africa. When you said "I could not recognize the hierarchy of place and difficulty that radical Christianity had built into my pursuit of ministry" you really hit the nail on the head. It took me a long time to understand that the "go big for God or go home" mentality was getting in the way of a quiet life of service and generosity.
Thanks for your thoughtful words, here!
You’re in San Diego, right? I’m in Palm Springs, so maybe there will still be an opportunity to meet! And I’m glad my thoughts rang true to you. It’s been quite the process to untangle these assumptions.
I would love that!
Ladies, I'm sorry to interrupt this conversation; I'm coming to San Diego in August, so...
It's so great to know you a little better after writing in parallel for so long!
I’m glad we got to sit together for a bit. Also that stained glass window pic is just 😍
It was delightful to meet you, too! 🫶🏻