Comments on: The Best of Intentions: Missionary Superhero

By: C. Holland

C. Holland — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:40:31 +0000

@Tai: I agree. While being a missionary is scary, if we’re all following God’s calling then being a Christian is scary (but in a good way)!

By: tai fu

tai fu — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:45:58 +0000

I just can’t think of missionaries as “super heroes” because we don’t have any special super power. We’re just human trying to do what God calls us to do. I wouldn’t discount the people who serves in church choir as worthless but I would really challenge everyone to listen to what God wants you to do and do it. If it’s work in a job and provide for a family or other missionaries and serve in a choir every week, then its good. If it’s to live overseas and have to trust God for even the most basic needs, then it’s good too. But I’ll say one thing, being a missionary is scary!

By: C. Holland

C. Holland — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:57:00 +0000

@Grady: The “choir” comment from your friend shows me that people don’t get it. Different parts of the body do different things, some more, some less. No question that missionaries sacrifice more than some others; we do lead different lives than those of our friends and families in the States. We’re equal in the sense that we’re just as human, frail, and messed up as the next Christian (who might not be sacrificing as much but still serving as God has called them).

Hmmm, superhero power that I’d like…speed reading!

By: Grady Bauer

Grady Bauer — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:22:17 +0000

Great Post. This is a difficult issue to address because we have a tendency to either make heroes of the missionary or we down play their lives. I had someone tell me once that it took just as much sacrifice for them to sing in the choir as it did for me to serve and live overseas. Really?

I’m not a hero….I’m just a guy who heard the call of God and obeyed. I still struggle…I still have bad days…I still cuss when I hit my thumb with a hammer. My calling does call for me to give up a little more than some others may…but I also get more out of my calling than some others do.

BTW, if we were superheroes…I would want a super-stomach….not matter what I ate I would never get sick….that would be a cool superpower!
Grady Bauer´s last blog ..Dealing with Obstacles

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:31:50 +0000

I lived in Japan for a few years while in the Navy. I understand your thoughts. While over there I spoke occasionally in Japanese churches and led a conversational English class. And, truth be told, I never thought of myself as a hero either. Interesting now that I think about it.
Dan´s last blog ..Kabul 24: Review

By: C. Holland

C. Holland — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:25:29 +0000

@Dan: Thank you for your honesty, and I’m not offended. I know I’m not considered “regular”–and that’s the problem. Kevin said it best; I’m doing (and other missionaries) what we’re all as Christians supposed to be doing, just in a different part of the world. Mission is reaching out where God has placed you, whether it’s sunny San Diego or even in one’s own backyard or hometown. He just happened to place me 5,000 miles away, but if He had me go back to America I’d still be doing what I’m doing.

Is living in another culture more difficult? Sometimes. Is living by faith on funding nerve-racking? Absolutely. Yes, those things make me different as a missionary, but my witness and outreach should be the same no matter where I’m at or how I’m funded.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:55:59 +0000

I like your blog Kevin. It’s very intriguing! I agree with you that everyone is essentially on mission, including me, and I’m here in sunny San Diego. Still, I have met many missionaries and while they look like regular Christians, it’s hard to think of them as such. I’ll take your word for it though!
Dan´s last blog ..Retirement Ceremony

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:17:45 +0000

Dan, I guess it all depends on what the definition of a “regular” Christian is. Since all Christians are commanded to be ambassadors and missionaries (sent on mission) then missionaries are the “regular” ones, just like the person who takes meals to their sick neighbor to show the love of Jesus, or the person who meets for coffee with their friend to discuss Jesus, or the mom who continues to preach to her renegade daughter through love and sacrificial service. Missionaries simply do those things in another part of the world because the gospel needs to be preached there on a wide scale.
Kevin´s last blog ..Nothing but questions

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:16:13 +0000

I’ll just be honest, I’ve struggled with this because I have often thought of missionaries as heroes of the faith. The simple fact is that many people don’t do what you do. Some can’t, and those of us who are in that boat find other ways to minister, but for others, they could go and don’t. So you are different (in a good way). A lot of people could be in the military and go be “heroes” but they choose not to.

Ok, so not a superhero, but you’re definitely not a “regular” Christian either. I hope that doesn’t offend.
Dan´s last blog ..Retirement Ceremony