We joke about it, because we think it and feel it. Not because it's true, but because the term 'missionary' has held such a narrow definition and we do not fit in it. We've felt it as we've spent time with "real" missionaries living in the bush and realize the luxeries and conviences we take for granted by living in a city. We've felt it from some who don't support us because we're "fake" missionaries.We've felt it when we post pictures of our lives here and people make comments about being surprised by how nice our house is (which it is!), or how it must be like vacation because we're close to the ocean and get to visit it frequently. We are "fake" missionaries in some peoples eyes...even our own sometimes.
Where does our definition of "missionary" come from?
Ponder this for a few moments. What images or stories immediately come to your mind? What causes those specifically to come to mind? Who or what has shaped your idea of what being a "Missionary" means or should look like?
As a child, I remember hearing an older single woman come to speak at our church. She was a missionary, though I cannot remember where. She had on an ugly, outdated ankle-length skirt, had a short and non-flattering haircut, no make-up and seemed to be someone I could not, nor would not want to relate to - at least according to my pre-teen, totally hip and stylish self. In my young, concrete-thinking mind, I judged her as out of touch and well, dorky.
But she - SHE - was a "real" missionary.
And then I grew and read stories of "real" missionaries - stories of people leaving their family and country - not just for a 2 year stint on the field, but for LIFE. Servants of God who packed in their coffins with the expectation that they would die on the field. Followers of Jesus like David Livingstone, William Carey, Hudson Taylor, and Amy Carmichael. I took missions courses at Calvin Seminary and was inspired by the real-life sacrifice and devotion of those we studied. I went to a missions oriented dinner-theater that introduced the story of Jim Elliot and Nate Saint to me. These were the "real" missionionaries.
Then there is us. The "fake" missionaries.
We work at an international Christian school. It's made up of missionary kids, expat kids and local Tanzanian kids who have the money to attend a private school. There are scholorships and some families are truly sacrificing in order to send their kids to HOPAC, but many have the money to do so.
We attend a church plant which meets at a theater in the local mall. Our church is incredibley diverse with a large Tanzanian population but also a large expatriate population coming from the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Uganda, Denmark and I'm sure I'm missing others. Our church reaches out into the community but also helps those in our family with micro loans, school fees, etc., which I love, however, many in the church are well educated and are able to make ends meet.
We have a car, running water (most of the time) and electricity (most days), we have a wall around our home with an electric fence, and as the team from Christian High recenetly noticed, we even have 'fancy' ceilings in our house. We visit an orphanage periodically, interact in our community when we can, but almost all of our time and ministry is currently spent with educated, working Tanzanians or other missionaries/expats.
Where does our definition of "missionary" come from? Where should it come from?
Jesus said to them again, "…As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." —John 20:21
Oswald Chambers says in the classic devotional, My Utmost For His Highest, "A missionary is someone sent by Jesus Christ just as He was sent by God. The great controlling factor is not the needs of people, but the command of Jesus."
Real missionaries.
Some have been sent by Jesus Christ to serve the educated, future leaders in the world.
They are missionaries.
Real missionaries.
Some have been sent by Jesus Christ to stay where they are to faithfully and obediently serve.
They are missionaries.
Real missionaries.
Strip away the images of mud huts, language lessons, selling all that you have, medical clinics, swollen bellies, fundraising, rice fields, dirt floors, school buildings, church plants, village life, city life, orphanages...being a 'real' missionary isn't about these things - it's about one simple question:
Are we living out our sending?
Jesus said to them again, "…As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." —John 20:21
It's really all about being obedient to Jesus' call, isn't it? That's what qualifies you as a "real" missionary - being obedient to the sending of Jesus Christ.
We have felt and continue to feel that God has lead and sent us to teach at HOPAC here in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. While we continue to learn what living out this sending looks like, we are confident that God has sent us to be missionaries, REAL missionaries, here in Tanzania. And He has sent you too, wherever that may be.
Jesus said to them again, "…As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." —John 20:21
