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Most people think that you have to be an "on the field"
missionary to be a part of the mission field work. This is far from being
true. Being either a part of the sending church or being a part of a
financing church is part of the work involved in missions work.
The "little" things add up for someone who is far away from all
they grew up with; church, family, friends, a way of life, etc., and here is
where you can make a big difference in someone's life. There is a
misconception that missionaries are "better" or more" righteous"
people than you and I because they went to a different country to do the same
thing that the Lord has asked us all to do. They are the same as you and
I, Christians with the same feelings of fears and doubts as you and I.
Many struggle with the same problems with their children, school, money, family
problems as you and I do. Sometimes just a short note from the folks back
in the States helps reassure that all will be o.k. . . You know, I bet it gets
lonely on the other side of the world and a letter from you will make it better.
Did You Know???
Total world
population............................6,128,512,000
Total Christian population........................2,024,929,000
Total non-Christian population.................4,103,583,000
Total church attendees.............................1,373,554,000
Christian Workers:
Total Nationals (all denominations).................5,154,000
Total Nationals (foreign missions)......................425,000
Un-evangelized population.......................1,637,509,710
172 billion hours of Evangelism per year.
Numbers are based on the year mid 2001. Figures
are from World Evangelization Research Center in Richmond, VA.
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TOP TEN REASONS FOR WRITING A MISSIONARY
10. You can practice your handwriting or typing
skills.
9. You can learn about other countries, or other parts of
the United States.
8. You may hear funny missionary stories about language mix
ups and sometimes a good animal story about snakes, bears and lions.
7. You can tell your missionary friends funny family
stories and sometimes a good animal story about pet dogs, cats and hamsters.
6. You can update your church friends about your missionary
friends.
5. You can learn foreign words and phrases such as
"gracias", "merci", and "thanks, y'all".
4. You can learn important little things they enjoy and
can't buy in their neck of the woods (ingredients for a favorite family
recipe or microwave popcorn), and send them a package.
3. You can receive and collect cool postage stamps.
2. You can learn missionaries are people too!
1. You can learn how best to pray for them!
Karen Railing, Burlington,
Washington: Women & Missions Fall 1997, page 2
Things to write about
that are of interest to Missionaries
1. Your spiritual blessings.
2. Household hints.
3. Your job.
4. Recipes.
5. Your areas of Church service.
6. Youth activities.
7. Your vacation.
8. All Church activities.
9. Additions to your family.
10. Community and Church news.
11. Craft ideas.
12. Special poems that have meaning to you.
13. Your prayer request.
14. Family interest.
15. Humorous anecdotes or comic strips.
16. Holiday hints.
17. Books you have read.
18. Everyday experiences.
19. Fun things to enclose are pictures, new clippings, trinkets, sample
packets of shampoo, perfume, lotion, etc., noting will be insignificant
tot he kids. Making a cassette or video tape of your Sunday School
class, Church gatherings, Church services, or special holiday presentations.
Edith Driscoll, Maranatha Baptist
Church. Columbus, Ohio, Women & Missions, Spring 1998
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