For instance, I serve in a very large congregation. We have 100 publishers and about 30 regular children/studies attending. And yet, in the year and a half I've been here, only one family has ever asked, "Why are you here?" Do you find that as strange as I do? Well, this week I was talking with the family that asked me that, and they explained why it's not a common question. When Nicaraguans speak among themselves about why foreigners are here, they assume it's because *wait for it* Nicaragua has so many things our home countries don't. The problem is that Nicaraguans can be very uneducated when it comes to life outside their country. I'm not saying that in a mean way, I'm stating it as a fact. They are not required to study much of outside geography or world history, and they were a closed, communist nation for some time. Their opinions are most often shaped of what they see on t.v. So when I and all my need greater friends came here, they just assumed it's because we wanted to BETTER our life by moving to Nicaragua. And the main problem really comes down to how they see their own territories. They do not feel they live in need territories so would never imagine someone would change their lives to serve here. I can't tell you how many times I hear in my congregation that we have an apathetic territory. I usually take the opportunity to describe how preaching is in the U.S. so they understand what a truly apathetic territory is, but I'm not sure it's sinking in. The truth is, we have a territory where you can have as many Bible studies as you want, householders ask YOU about studying, and you can join groups of kids in a house or neighborhood and have a Bible lesson.
The other common question I get when people find out how long I've been here is either "Wow, so you must really like it?" or "Are you there because you WANT to be there or because you HAVE to be there?" Both are valid questions, but sometimes I have trouble answering them. To the first question I would say...yes, I like parts of it. I can honestly say I'm having service experiences I could only dream about and which have often been featured in Yearbooks and Society videos. But obviously, there's a lot I'm still getting used to and other things that I just don't like period. As to the second question....well, that's the hardest for me to answer. I'm going to write something and I don't want it to come out like I'm trying to compare us to Jesus, I'm just trying to use a good example. But it would be like asking him if he died for us because he WANTED to or because he HAD to. It was a little of both, right? Who wants to die? Who wants to make massive daily sacrifices? Who wants to be misunderstood on a constant basis? But we do it because in suffering all that, we're able to accomplish something good. And that's what makes it all worth it.
I'm not sure if I've explained myself well, but I'd love if you guys weighed in.
I'd have to agree with this. We are counseled on a regular basis to be 'humble' and to lessen ourselves. We are guided and taught how to put ourselves below others, and how important it really is. (Phil 2:4) And 1 Cor 13:4,5 says, "Love...does not look for it's own interests." People who go and serve where the need is greater are not 100% doing it because that's the lifestyle they want. It's simpler, sure, but not a lot of people enjoy living in a place where you can't drink the water out of the tap. Or where you can't trust everything your eating unless it's been disinfected in boiling water. It's just not what a lot of people call "fun". But what are these ones really doing it for, then? Some might say, "Why are you going to move to another country if you're just going to suffer." Jesus knew how screwed up the world was when he made the choice to come here. He saw everything unfold, starting in the Garden of Eden. But why did HE do it? Our main goal, and our main focus in the final times of this system is to preach. We are trying to spread the good news through all of the earth so every single person has the opportunity and the chance to serve Jehovah. To reach these vast and extended lands will put our own comfort and safety in jeopardy. But going back to the beginning of this post, we are doing that because that's what we need to do! We are putting the interest, and really, the LIVES of other people before our own. Our PRIVILEGE in this system is to teach ones who have never been taught before! In the new system, we are all so excited to talk to ones like Moses and Abraham who did all of these wonderful things, but yet, they will come to us asking the same things! "Wow! What was it like living in the last days?" Can you imagine that? ... So why be left behind? The fields in these places are "white for harvesting", so each one of us should make sure we do everything we can to "step over into Macedonia" so to speak. I love, and look up to the people courageous to do this type of thing. They are beautiful people. That being said, that doesn't mean there isn't a work to be done in the US. There is plenty to do here as well, so if you are not able to go to another country to serve where there is a greater need. Just make sure you are doing all you can here, and you remain supportive of the brothers and sisters putting their own self-comfort aside for the sake of the Kingdom Ministry. Keep doing what you are doing Shawn! It's a beautiful work. (: I am not yet a need-greater, it's one of my biggest goals for the future. But for now, I will try my best to support all of you who are able to. Thank you for reading this super super long message. (:
ReplyDeleteWhew, Joey, that IS a long one :) But I appreciate it. And you're right, the need for Kingdom publishers is great in many different places in the world. I hope Jehovah blesses your plans to join us one day.
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ReplyDeleteWhoops. That was way longer than I thought it was going to be. I apologize..
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