Coming Home
Is Difficult
Many people have asked me if I find it difficult to leave Canada and return to Madagascar? In all honesty, I actually find it more difficult to leave Madagascar and return to Canada. This is, perhaps, surprising to some, but it is, nonetheless, true.
The struggle is with being judgemental. This is probably true for all those who have served in developing countries. We take so much for granted in the West. A trivial, but real example - Our refrigerators and deep freezers are full, yet we repeatedly say, “there’s nothing here to eat”! In Madagascar, most people live on a very basic diet of rice. They would be overwhelmed with the options before us in most of our houses.
We spend money, lots of money, on what are (judgementally) trite and frivolous. Most in rural villages save money to buy shoes for their children.
The challenge for me, and perhaps all missionaries, is to try and not judge people based on our experiences, but to gently help folks experience, through our story telling, what we have experienced. The Lord does not want to fill us with shame, but sometimes the Holy Spirit does convict us through the gentle words of others. We cannot expect people to see through our eyes, but we cannot help our people by making the Macedonian call…come and help.
This has been my experience. The Church has stepped in every time I have had an urgent need…often at the 11th hour….I would, admittedly, prefer these prayers to be answered sooner, but that would take away my absolute dependence on God!
So, my dear friends, continue to pray for me and my family who will be with me in Mahajanga this summer. Pray that the many needs of the diocese will be met by the Lord in His timing, and pray that I will not despair in prayer and asking for the Lords guidance and provision.
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Bishop Darrrell: Thank you for sharing. I feel your pain. I have learned that despite wanting to make everyone peaceful and comfortable, God does not expect us to this. He does expect sacrificial giving. If Christians in general bought into this command, the 3rd world would be less in need. One person at a time, and project at a time is doable and brings joy. Blessings Bruce
I am glad to hear that your family will be with you this summer. It is hard to be away from family for such long stretches of time!