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A SELECTED "NORTHERN LIGHTS"
MAGAZINE ARTICLE
(from Issue #471)
MISSIONS:
the long & the short of it
Forty years ... or two weeks. Can both be effective
"missions"?
Can a missionary stay too long? Can they leave too soon? These questions
do require ongoing consideration, but right now we'd like you to meet
some special people. We believe that their experiences, in fact, help
provide answers.
We'll begin with the short ones because we've just completed a
busy summer of ministry and it wouldn't have been possible without the
help of short-term Bible camp workers. Also still fresh on our minds are
the reports of those who spent several weeks with our NMTC program doing
hands-on missions in First Nations communities.
Short-Termers with Attitudes
...and it's hard not to notice their enthusiasm! ..."It was a
wonderful, challenging, stretching ... experience. I loved it!" "I
could really feel God's presence!" "The Lord answered prayer in
several ways!" "I led a Bible study for the first time!" "When
you find an opportunity to share the Bible with them ... what a joy that
is!" "Some of [the young people] learned 20 Bible verses ... and
they understood them too!" That's just a sample of what the
short-term summer missionaries shared.
Of course it takes more than just enthusiasm to be an effective
missionary, but when it disappears, everyone notices. Recently, after
meeting an enthusiastic young worker, one of our longer-serving
missionaries said to her husband in a wishful tone, "Remember when we
used to be like that?" Yes, enthusiasm is contagious. Short-termers
often take it back to their home churches and motivate others to get
involved.
It's not all fun, of course. Short-termers also experience the
heartache of seeing people lost without Christ:"...So many people not
knowing of God's love"; "My eyes were opened to the needs of other
people"; "I saw people in my own country [who] lack so many
opportunities." One team told of hearing a gun shot in the night, and
finding out the next morning that one of their neighbors had taken his
life.
A Wide Range of Experience
Joy, sorrow, and everything in between -- in fact, much of what a
long-term missionary experiences. Some told about swimming and fishing
in beautiful lakes (and wondering about "suffering" for the Lord!)
Others told of receiving beautifully handcrafted gifts from local
people. But it all begins with the big decision, "Will I go?" One
trainee admitted, "I knew God was tugging at my heart calling me ...
but there were so many things that were holding me back."
Short-termers also get a taste of seeing God supply their financial
and practical needs. One knew it had to be the Lord's doing when he
found himself stuck for a ride to the airport and was offered a lift by
someone going to Edmonton just to get a haircut ... a two and-a-half
hour trip! Others told of God's protection while driving on rough
roads, canoeing, and sleeping and hiking "with the bears." Even the
short-termer who reported, "The flies are the size of a quarter ...
and the mosquitoes have a half-inch needle serving the Blood Bank of the
North," learned to deal with them.
To be sure, there are cultural adjustments and not much time in which
to make them. One fellow arrived from Hong Kong to be stationed in an
isolated community of only 60 people. He said that the much slower pace
of life was a bit of a shock, but he learned to enjoy living where he
knew everyone's name. Some short-termers admitted a general fear of
Native people prior to their summer. Of course, these unfounded fears
quickly vanished. One said, "By end of the day, I forgot I was with
Native people!"
In NCEM, even short-termers learn about strategizing: about seeking
the best ways to reach out. One was able to participate in a community "Reading Program." She said that it was a tremendous way to get to
know adults and to invite kids to Bible clubs, and that she was given
complete freedom to share about Christ. Another team reported: "We had
plans, but God overruled." Some experienced frustration not finding
many openings to talk about spiritual things.
Touching Lives
These experiences are all part of long-term missions, too, as are
relationships ... about getting along with co-workers, and realizing
that God may need to do some changing in our own lives. Many short-termers
have the privilege of working with Native Christians. One told of the
privilege of receiving advice from an experienced Native pastor. One
team witnessed to a Native woman who began stopping daily at their
house. A couple of days later the woman confessed that she was a
missionary who had been asked to check up on them!
Of course, the goal of missions must be to reach people, to touch
lives. And it's happening in short-term, too. One summer worker, who
was invited out on a fishing excursion by the local chief, took the
opportunity to tell him about his Saviour. Long-term missionaries have
noticed less animosity from the chief, quite likely the result of
contact with short-termers. No, not all will see someone accept Christ,
but they can sow the Seed and others can build on those initial efforts.
The Long of It
Many more experiences from the summer of 2000 could be told. How do you
sum it up when it's been 40 years of service? That's what Ron and
Marge Knightly wondered in August (2000) when they shared with the NCEM
family after receiving "honourary" membership. Naturally their
thoughts went back to the beginning.
Ron told about a visit from NCEMer Marshall Calverley to New
Brunswick Bible Institute in 1960 and his plans to use a boat to visit
Cree communities on James Bay. Instantly thrilled about the opportunity
to go along, Ron committed himself for the summer. (Ron says he claimed
four years U.S. Navy experience, but didn't admit till later that he
hadn't once been on board a ship!)
Ron was excited ... "I was in God's business and going north with
a real missionary!" That summer wasn't all easy, though, Ron
recalled. Strong winds kept them stormbound on islands in the Bay for
days at a time, sometimes without food. Ron's wallet and some of his
clothes washed overboard. Yet the opportunities for front-line
missionary work in the villages gave him great fulfilment.
"I'm Ready to Go"
Ron returned home inspired to serve with NCEM. He and Marge were married
later that year and moved west to Saskatchewan. The following spring,
when they were asked to consider serving among the Dene (Slavey) people
of the Northwest Territories, Marge's response to Ron was, "Where
you go, I'm ready to go." They lived at Nahanni the first winter,
then moved to Wrigley where they stayed for eight years. Travel was
often by dogsled, and each summer they brought their boat 700 miles down
river loaded with supplies.
Ministry-wise, those years were "a struggle," they admit. "It
seemed that the Gospel message wasn't being heard, though there was
one Native Christian lady there who remained a great encouragement to
us." Ron says that even though he tried, he never did learn to speak
the Slavey language well. But he found many opportunities to read the
Slavey scriptures, and people always said that they could understand.
The Knightly's saw more encouraging results at their next assignment,
Ft. Liard, where they baptized five believers, to their knowledge the
first Slaveys to take that step.
Their next move was to British Columbia, where Ron's aviation
skills were further put to use as he provided leadership to the 50-some
missionaries in NCEM's widespread Western-Field. Even when Ron was
away, Marge was always busy with ladies Bible studies and children's
clubs. The Knightlys now live in another BC community, working with
street people and assisting a Native church, along with weekly outreach
to a nearby Reserve.
Single-Minded Service
Like the Knightlys, Agatha Harder's missionary service has included
several locations. She joined NCEM in 1964, on staff at the Montreal
Lake Children's Home (SK). That was followed by ministry in the
northern Manitoba villages of Thicket Portage and Shamattawa. She then
served on staff at La Ronge Indian Bible School (SK) and as Dean of
Women at Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute (AB). A licensed nurse, Agatha was
often called upon for medical help on all these assignments. She also
served as hostess at NCEM's Headquarters.
As a single worker on isolated stations, Agatha had learned firsthand
the value of visits from fellow missionaries. Those lessons helped
during her years as Ministries Coordinator for Single Ladies. Agatha's
last northern station was in northeastern Saskatchewan where she found "wide open doors" into peoples' homes. She ran a Sunday school in
her home, a craft night, and encouraged believers to worship and
fellowship together.
After 36 years Agatha says, "I'd do it all over again, even
knowing all the hardships ... To be instrumental in leading someone to
Christ, to see them grow and live for God and serve Him ... it's worth
it."
Did You Say "Short-Term"?
Both Agatha and the Knightlys say that when they chose missionary
service, it was for the long-haul. In fact, none of them remember even
hearing the word "short-term" in connection with missions. They
acknowledge the disadvantages of short-term missions -- the lack of
time necessary to learn a culture and language, and to establish rapport
-- and they definitely don't believe that short-term can be a
substitute for long-term commitment. They explain that, in most cases,
it's the long-term missionaries who make short-term work possible and
effective.
In spite of these drawbacks, Agatha and the Knightlys talk very
positively about short-term. "The Native people, especially the
Christians, really look forward to the trainees coming," notes Marge.
And short-termers have been effective in reaching people, they point
out. Agatha mentions a Manitoba community where summer missionaries in
the 1970's opened the way for year-round Gospel outreach, resulting in
a church being established.
Questions About Short-Term?
Other veteran missionaries, as well, will tell of short-term's
strengths. Short-termers usually relate better to Native youth. And
without short-term opportunities, college students would have to wait
till graduation to get involved in cross-cultural missions. Afterwards,
they are far more aware of the needs, far more understanding of the
difficulties, and far more prepared to give themselves to a lifetime of
ministry. They gain a real understanding of what it means to minister
cross-culturally.
Yes, some questions about short-term missions do remain unanswered.
And this past summer's short-termers left with a few of their own: "I
want to stay longer to see why 'J' doesn't want to accept the Lord"
... "I just started to get to know these people. Why do I have to
leave?"
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