Encouragement Letters

Encouragement

Published by Barnabas International • PO Box 11211 • Rockford, IL 61126 • Volume X • No. 12 • December 1996

LAREAU LINDQUIST, Founder

Good Morning Friend,

Several weeks ago, our headquarters staff was startled with the news reports on one particular day. First of all, there was a mid-air collision outside of New Delhi, India. Further, there was a severe earthquake in Peru, South America. We were especially concerned because we had Barnabas staff members on assignment in each of those countries that exact day. Later that day we were relieved to learn that our staff members were safe. The incidents did, however, remind us that life is risky. Ministry, too, is risky…especially overseas ministry.

There are RISKS IN THE AIR. During this past year, for example…the Valujet crash in the swampy everglades just minutes out of Miami; the TWA 800 crash, just minutes out of New York City into the Atlantic Ocean; the mid-air crash near New Delhi, which was the third most deadly aviation accident in history; and the hijacked Ethiopian airliner bound for Nairobi that ran out of fuel and crashed into the ocean. Each one was, coincidentally, of interest to me. Often I have flown out of Miami. Several times I have been on TWA 800 from New York to Paris. Frequently I have flown in and out of New Delhi. And … in just two weeks, Evie and I will be on an airliner bound for Nairobi. I travel about 150,000 miles a year by plane and have been safe so far. I am, however, aware of the risks.

There are RISKS OF DISEASE. Many of my friends in overseas ministry have continual bouts with amoebic dysentery, malaria, and chronic fatigue syndrome…along with the diseases that are more common in western countries. In my first overseas trip in 1978, I was the guest of a family when Peter, my host, became ill with malaria. His response was surprising as he said to me…Most of us get malaria. Meaning…no big deal.

There are RISKS OF REJECTION. Perhaps rejection will come from the authorities in your country. Or from those you have come to serve. Or from co-workers. Whenever I read the account in genesis where Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery, I think of the many Christian workers who have been abused and mistreated by fellow staff-workers.

There are RISKS OF ISOLATION. Possibly none of us is fully prepared or conditioned for the realities of living and serving overseas. We face all the pressures and problems of our families back home but in addition, we have cultural barriers…language barriers…distance barriers…and other factors that further complicated life and ministry.

Ministry has never been easy. It NEVER WILL BE EASY. Vance Havner wrote…As long as the Church wore scars, they made headway. When they began to wear medals, the cause languished. It was a greater day for the Church when Christians were fed to the lions than when they bought season tickets and sat in the grandstand.

You and I have joined company with Paul and Barnabas. Listen to what Luke wrote about them…these are men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 15:26).

Remember this. IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL.

Be encouraged,

Lareau Lindquist