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So You Want to Become a
Missionary?
Recently, an friend of the Ackerman's wrote to
them wondering if he was being called to come to Haiti as a missionary. This is
John's thoughtful response, which has import for all of us.
So you want to
become a Missionary, In Haiti of all places? You’ve spent a lot of time
thinking and praying about the decision. Even recently you’ve taken a trip
to visit there or may have just seen a photo essay on the poor children in
Haiti. And now the juices are flowing and you know it’s that “D-Day” kind
of hour when you know your decision must be made before you forget the passion
of these moments.
I realize that
you didn’t ask for my comments concerning what you’re feeling. But, for those
of you who find themselves in this or a similar situation, I have some comments
and questions for you. Please know that what I say concerning this comes from
me, an aging man with little of what I would call “wisdom” but who is fast
approaching the investment of 19 years of his life in Haiti as a missionary.
I’m trained as a Registered Nurse but most of the things I do here is not in
that field. Many would not call me a deep spiritual person nor do I claim to
be. All I know, very deeply is that God loves me and you enough to give his
best gift to us, that of grace through his son, Jesus. Please accept the
following comments with these things in mind.
I certainly
respect where you are in your walk. We’re all there occasionally. It's just
that in order to make a change in life as it sounds like you're contemplating it
must be done through logical, long term thought rather than an emotional
reaction. I’ve seen literally hundreds of missionaries come to Haiti “for life”
only to see them packing up their bags within a year and a half. Many transport
themselves into another (Haitian or otherwise) very strange and corrupt culture
and plan to function as God’s emissary with little understanding of that
culture. If you believe that you can function in the Haitian culture better
than the Haitians you will be serving, you’re kidding yourself.
“Don’t leave your sense of humor at
home.”
Now, if you
have ideas of using your God given skills to somehow alleviate the problems of
the poor, please do it. I would enjoy nothing more than seeing Haiti being
served by those who can successfully do this kind of ministry. If you’re a fine
mechanic who can adapt to being able to work on vehicles when you can get few
parts, come on down. If you know medicine or nursing and want to give up your
sterile surroundings in order to medically serve people who have never seen
sterile surroundings, come on down. If you just feel you have the personality
that will be able to love people and try to do what’s best for them while being
able to ignore your own daily inconveniences, come on down. Haiti can use you.
BUT, don’t leave your sense of humor at home. Living in a place like Haiti
demands a sense of humor.
So you think
you are one that may be able to live surrounded by all of the Haitian filth and
shortcomings along with your own shortcomings and come out laughing? That
doesn't come easily. This is especially true if your reason for getting
involved here is an emotional reaction to the poor. Don't even contemplate
moving here without knowing why you want to do it. It won’t work just because
you feel bad for the poor dying kid or because you're angry with those of us who
go about our comfortable lives and ignore those in need. Emotional reactions
don’t last. Sorry—after a few months, a year and a half max, those emotions
drain away as the reality of living in Haiti seeps in and you pack it up.
My advice:
Stop and take a
deep breath. If you have a spouse, begin to talk with your mate and see if your
deeper thoughts are in line with each other. Without a good partner in these
places it's almost impossible to live. Work on that relationship first. If you
don’t have a spouse, polish your person skills. You’ll need them.
"You
become a beggar."
If you both
agree that you would want to combine your efforts in order to try to do
something positive for the poor, you better be ready to sacrifice everything you
have for it because that's what it will take. And not just your
possessions-that’s one of the easier parts! More than anything, you have to be
willing to sacrifice your self image. Why? Because, when you commit to
becoming a missionary, you become exactly what you’re trying to do away with in
Haiti.
You become a
beggar. It takes a lot of money to live in Haiti and unless you just happen to
be naturally rich, you must do exactly what those on Delmas (main drag) do, they
beg. Or you could live with those who have enough now because they begged
(other missionaries). My hardest job in eighteen years as a missionary has been
standing in front of churches and asking for money to live on. Don't come down
here to live without enough to live on. Haiti has enough poor people.
In order to ask
for money, you have to believe that what you will do with it will change
people's lives. In order for that to happen, you must take time to think, talk
with friends, talk with your mate, and make a plan. This takes time.
"I believe... that I’m doing an act of
worship."
Finally, I
really believe you have to have more than simply compassion in order to have an
effect on the poor. I'm not saying there isn't another way to do it. But those
who seem to be effective at what they are doing in the mission's community are
here for a higher purpose. When I treat the sick kid, I treat him because I
believe from my deepest parts, that I’m doing an act of worship. I was never
good at worshiping by standing, waving my hands, and singing worship choruses.
But, when I treat a dying kid one day and in three days see a happy living whole
child, I know that all of what I'm doing is worshiping God through my work.
Please look to do whatever you want to do out of love for God, not hate for
poverty and suffering or guilt because you aren't poor and needy. I recall
someplace where it says something about having the poor with us for some
extended period of time, and that Jesus always needs to be the center of all we
do.
So where does
this leave us? Here are some ideas.
Come and
visit Haiti or wherever you are contemplating spending a major portion of your
life. See more than the slums of City Sole’. There is a lot more to Haiti than
the slums. Visit some quality ministries that are already established and talk
in depth with the people who have worked in the place you’re hoping to serve.
Run some ideas past them. Learn from them as many things as you can about the
quirks of the culture that no one else can tell you.
Then, I want
you to return home and get serious about what you want to do with your lives.
Brainstorm. In many cases the first thing you come up with will often be
something that if truly carried out would have a negative effect on the persons
you’re there to serve. Come up with a plan that is workable. Work on the
language—you must eventually be able to speak effectively with those you plan to
minister to. Stretch yourself but don’t rip yourself apart. And in the process,
if I can help you in your planning, I would be honored.
Very Sincerely,
John Ackerman
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