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Our Lord commands us to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” when we go into the mission field (Matthew 10:16).
The chief characteristic of a serpent is its ability to be ‘invisible.” Right now, around us, whether we live in the city or in rural areas there are snakes nearby – among the bushes, in drains, etc. – but we are seldom aware of their presence.
Too often missionaries are easily identified. And when they become the victim of “harassment” they complain of persecution and danger, instead of repenting that they are disobedient to the Lord’s commandment to be wise as serpents!
I have often seen groups of eager Christians all dressed up in identical bright yellow T-shirts with slogans like “Jesus – the hope of the world” arriving in non-Christian countries. Let’s be wise as serpents as we go out to reach the lost.
When filling the immigration form, write “teacher” instead of preacher or pastor (a preacher or pastor is a teacher!)
When filling in the “purpose of visit,” write “visiting friends” (all people are our friends!)
When travelling with group of Christians, try not to dress in “uniforms” (unless you like to draw unnecessary attention to yourselves!)
When travelling to poor villages, ladies should not dress in long, nice dresses, even if this is your church’s standard of dressing to look lady-like (serpents try to blend in with their environment to survive!)
When in restricted-access nations (RAN”s), or non-Christian countries (ie, in almost every country that you send a mission team to – why would you send a mission team to a Christian country?!), there is no need to pray in groups, or give thanks for your meals with your heads bowed, eyes closed and hands clasped (be assured that God will hear your prayers even when your eyes are open!)
In RAN’s, avoid carrying guitars and other large musical instruments. The only people who carry large instruments besides members of orchestras (who usually don’t go to poor villages), are Christians.
When in doubt, just think what a serpent would do! It’s that simple!
The shock of everything is now starting to sink in and the dust is starting to settle some.
The ultrasound specialist, after much trying, was finally able to see some of our unborn baby’s face and mouth and confirmed the cleft lip which is on the right side. She also said that she saw a gap in the hard palate which is the front of the mouth. It is… Read More....
There was the old grandma who was being cared for by her daughter and son. One day as I was reading my Bible, the daughter asked me about it and I told her what I was reading. She was excited and told me that she had one too and was a part of God’s family. I knew there was something different about her. She took such gentle care of her… Read More....
A few months ago I was thinking to myself, “I don’t have any real China stories.” A ‘China’ story is the kind that can only happen to you in China (of course) but really sets your time here apart from anything else you’ve experienced in your life; it’s something that you think, “I’ve never experienced anything like this!” and somehow it changes you. Well, it finally happened. After two years… Read More....
If I may add, write ‘administrator’ or ‘clerk’ instead of Missions Coodinator in the immigration Card. Also, in this day and age, there’s no need to even carry a bible when the entire OT/NT can be in your handphone.
right abt hard-copy bibles! tho people in many less developed countries might think u r playing games! but worse still some “traditionalists” might be offended when u read God’s Word fr handphone (they think it is sacrilegious!)
Its really very helpful.