Missionary Confidential

We recently had an older Christian friend from another country stay with us, and the time was enjoyable, except when he prayed for grace at meals. It seemed that he was using the audible prayers as a way to get in a complaint or dig, typically pointed at us.

The first time was at a large lunch at a friend’s house, who had invited several others to the meal. Our guest, a new acquaintance to all at the table, was asked to return thanks. Being an older individual, he began to pray a long, flowery prayer, complete with “Thee” and “Thou,” which is fine. I’m sure it’s what he was exposed to growing up. But as the prayer went on for a few minutes (and sounded like he was finishing up) our guest began this section (which I paraphrase): » Read the rest of this entry «

My grandfather passed away recently, and because I’m thousands of miles away in ministry I was unable to return back to the States. That, and the fact that last-minute tickets would have cost almost $3,000.

This was a difficult realisation despite the fact that I knew my grandfather was nearing the end of his natural life and that ministry here has to come first. I had to take a long time praying and weighing my choices, but I really felt that God did not want me to go.

The whole thing got me thinking about two things that intersect with our culture: » Read the rest of this entry «