Comments on: Staying Home For Christmas

By: C. Holland

C. Holland — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:04:18 +0000

Thank you for the questions and clarifications. Someone needs to invent a way for sarcasm to be clearer on the Internet!

@Matthew: Yes, they are odd questions, and those odd questions are what prompts me to write this blog. There’s a prevalent misperception of what defines a missionary or missions, and I hope to dispel some of that.

By: Matthew Helland

Matthew Helland — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:37:12 +0000

I did not mean that we are really supposed to take a vow of poverty. In her earlier post about some guy coming to see her house and saying that she really was not a missionary because she was not poor, I figured out that a lot of people really think missionaries should be poor. Other questions thatt were posted questioned whether or not a missionary should go on a vacation and if so is skiing allowed. Really odd questions. I in no way believe that we should take vows of poverty but it seems that a “stereo type” out there is if you are not living in a mud hut in africa…you are not a missionary. Mud huts don’t work in western europe.

By: Tai Fu

Tai Fu — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:19:43 +0000

“Vows of poverty” sounds Catholic rather than Biblical. I think the tradition may have been taken from the fact that we are to live a life of sacrifice and oftentimes it makes you look like you are in poverty. It does depend on where you live though, if you live in places where the people you minister to are poor then as your lifestyle matches them you may seem poor when compared to say an average American middle class.
Tai Fu´s last blog ..Happy new year

By: D. Simon

D. Simon — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:28:27 +0000

Matthew, you said you “Learned that missionaries are supposed to take a vow of poverty” from C’s blog here.

Can you tell me what was written that you took that from, because I just don’t see it.

Personally, I believe all Christians are called to live a life of sacrafice, but to me that doesn’t mean the same thing as a “vow of poverty.”

Just curious how you came to that from this post. Thanks.

By: Matthew Helland

Matthew Helland — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:40:53 +0000

Your comment, “Christianity is something we live and breathe, not just something we perform and rpomote, and then act differently,” really struck a chord with me. I have been studying the tabernacle and Hebrews and contemplating what it means to live constantly in the Holy of Holies. What it means that prayer becomes so natural that it is as normal for us as breathing in or out. Regarding home…I am a 30 yr. old missionary in western europe who grew up in latin america as an mk. Home is where my wife and kids are. Home has always been where my family is at. I have not been back to the US for christmas in 4 years now. Not of utmost importance, though I do miss my family in the US. I have learned quite a bit with your blog. Learned that missionaries are supposed to take a vow of poverty. Glad I have not ever had to take that vow, though of course I would be willing if necessary. Keep thinking out loud on your blog and God bless.

By: C. Holland

C. Holland — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:45:55 +0000

@Tai Fu: It’s a tough call for each person to make. I’d be more motivated not to travel during the holidays and rather visit family at a different time of year with less pressure, but that’s just my take.

By: Tai Fu

Tai Fu — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 18:43:25 +0000

So many YWAM people I know they go home for Christmas too but it sometimes gives me the feeling that they do not consider Taiwan to be there home (despite the fact that they say it is). I don’t always like Christmas as a result since I am friends with many of them and I often felt abandoned during those time since my real family are away.
Tai Fu´s last blog ..Minimum wage jobs