Comments on: “I Can’t Call You a Missionary”—ouch

By: C. Holland

C. Holland — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:06:17 +0000

@M: No matter how much we explained why it cost so much to live modestly in Western Europe (the exchange rate, for starters), we also struggled with polite accusations that we were trying to live extravagantly for what we needed to raise. Our monthly amount needed in dollars was large when you look at just that and nothing else. When people visited our field, they tended to understand better than explaining to those in the States.

By: M. Wright

M. Wright — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:26:14 +0000

along the same lines as this, one of our co-workers had visitors from his home church in the US a while back – when the visitors saw that he was driving a Volvo station wagon (about 10 years old) this visitor said, “We much be paying you guys too much!” The fact that the vehicle cost less then their car back in the US was irrelevant. The fact that it was a European car in a European country, rather than an imported Ford or Chevy didn’t compute either. In our country, the number one vehicle on the road is Mercedes – mostly old and used and stolen from Western Europe. We had to be very careful what kind of vehicle we bought…

I love trying to help folks from back in the US understand that life here is just very different from life in the US. Sometimes it works, other times, not so much. But until we help them understand, the old stereotypes will rule.

I like John’s response – “Come on- join us!”

By: C. Holland

C. Holland — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:39:39 +0000

@John: Yeah, I have some prosperity friends that would never get a reaction like I did. And I wish we had more takers over here in Western Europe, too.

By: John

John — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:23:47 +0000

If you came from a “prosperity” church you would have had no problems on any of it. ha ha. Not but seriously, I understand this completely. I feel the pressure to not share too much information on how I live because people sometimes seem more comfortable with their fantasy of what they think my lifestyle is like than the reality of it. The reality is that most missionaries don’t have it that bad. Some paddle up and down the Amazon every day, but they are few and far between from what I’ve seen. What’s good for our Pastors in our supporting churches back home, should at the least be good and acceptable for us on the field. Also, I think some people when they see where we live think to themselves, “Man, then I should be a missionary”! Our response is, “Then come on”!…No takers yet.

By: C. Holland

C. Holland — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:37:49 +0000

@Mike: Welcome to the blog, and thank you. God bless your work.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:51:46 +0000

I know exactly how you feel… thank you for sharing and may He continue to remain the source of strength for you (very glad I found your site!)

By: C. Holland

C. Holland — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:39:56 +0000

@S: It was tough, because my first reaction was to want to defend. In reality, an explanation of modern missions would require quite a bit of time, making it tough when we weren’t very familiar with our supporter.

By: S Pipkin

S Pipkin — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:01:58 +0000

Wow, how awkward. Good for you that you invite supporters to observe your environment and work. Good for you that you didn’t feel need to defend or explain your living situation to that person at the time.

By: Greg in Mexico

Greg in Mexico — Sun, 17 May 2009 04:19:27 +0000

Wow Mick – I’d like to hear more of your perspective!

By: Michael L

Michael L — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:01:27 +0000

C.Holland,

I just came across you blog from iMonk and the title was just tremendously intriguing. I am from Western Europe (Belgium) originally, though living in Dallas now.

I am an ex-Roman Catholic, who has a new found faith in the Lord, although I am now a member in a non-denominational Bible Church.

From someone who has lived there for more than 30 years, still has all his family there and who is fortunate enough to go back quite regularly, I think I have some understanding and perhaps even authority in the matter. In addition I have done work in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe, so I think I can somewhat make a comparison between the different continents.

Western Europe is probably the most difficult missions field there is today.

God Bless you and your ministry.
I think I have someone to add to my prayer list

PS: I’d be interested to know where you are, so feel free to send me an off-line e-mail. I’m coming over in late July / August. Depending where you’re at, I’d be willing to bring you some smaller items if you need any.

In Him
Mick