Cross-cultural living was a school of humility for me. Yet, in certain Christian circles, my “missionary” experience is dismissed if my political commitments are not aligned with the theirs. And don’t get me started about American Christians who lived as illegal aliens (tourist visa overstays) and are eager to deport their fellow Christians in America for doing what they themselves did.
I think a lot of missionaries (certainly not all—Ive met many myopic ones who learned nothing) have so much to teach the American church. But they don’t really want the lessons do they? They just want the referred heroism, a reflection back to them of how they see themselves.
Holly, you are brave posting this very good article. I so appreciate it. Thank you.
As you know, we were short term missionaries based in the US taking teams to Uganda for short term trips. My husband mostly traveled. I stayed home with our 5 mostly.
As I look back I see some good was done, but a lot of harm was done too. The white evangelical board members controlled all the purse strings, while the organization shared a narrative of how the local on the ground Ugandan staff were in charge. It wasn’t really true.
We were highly esteemed in our church because we were missionaries. The pressure for me was to perform as perfect wife with perfect godly well behaved children.
I ache at the arrogance of the white evangelical American church. No matter how I try to explain it to those I know deep in it right now, they cannot see it. It is humbling to remember how I was once there in thought and deed.
One question I’d love to dig into is WHY is Haiti in such chaos right now? What’s been colonialisms role in Haiti? I do know they threw off their slave holders dominance at one point to govern themselves.
I grieve for this couples unnecessary death. They are martyrs now to the church. I remember the glorification of Jim Elliot and his colleagues. I remember the high esteem held for Elizabeth Elliot as his widow. And now all these years later it’s come out she was in an abusive marriage for over 30 years with her third husband. She taught and lived her husband as head and she was to submit. Such a shame.
I think you are far braver to be so reflective and thoughtful of that experience. Definitely not something missionaries always do. And I get it--it can be hard and it often is a sacrifice, and the praise is sometimes the only reward, so I think it's human to play into the heroic narrative.
As to Haiti--or any failed state--I highly recommend the book Why Nations Fail. Colonialism is just one example of larger dynamics in which exploitative economics and concentrated political power reinforce each other and prevent the development of mediating institutions guarantee political participation, rewards innovation, and protects the ownership of ones labor, ideas, and property. It is an enjoyable read that makes complex concepts really easily understood.
Haiti is a mess because they are still in debt for their independence. France, backed by other colonial powers bankrupted Haiti for generations after the Toussaint L'Overture led revolts.
They have been succesively led by madmen and have never recovered from the Duvalier days (Papa Doc and Baby Doc)
Their environment is so degraded their soil is washing into the sea. There are almost no trees left.
It is the trauma of enslavement...fighting and winning and then being penalized for CENTURIES for your independence
Right on, Holly. Written by an MK who has seen and sees the inside story. My husband and I are retired missionaries(23years) and pastorate Stateside 20 years). The points you make about seeing situations and people here in US are excellent.
We often ask God to bless what we do, but not for God to make us a part of what They are blessing. It's a hero complex, as you say. And sometimes it costs lives. Others are doing the work, and we can simply join them.
Wow Holly! Thank-you for showing me yet another belief that I was brought up with that needs another look. Missionaries were the rock stars of our Baptist church. Oh my, Referred heroism!!
I worked for a large life insurance company before retirement 12/21. One of our application questions is about planned travel. Personal travel for a short time to most nations is ok. But if traveling on a church mission, we scrutinize. Thus travel to India to a city for family or business is ok, but on a Christian mission-- not ok. And some countries like Haiti are off limits period.
Re the separate matter of belief and ideology, well growing up in NJ, we knew very few Protestants of any stripe (my neighborhood was mostly Catholics and Jews) so no one identified as "Christian",
Lol 😂 I am trying to follow the way of Christ. Failing much of the time. Belief by definition is uncertain. Nobody knows what’s really going on. I believe in love as the engine of the universe. I believe Jesus embodied love quite nicely. 🤷♀️
I have a friend who quit his high paying job to start up a missions group. But they concentrate on getting drinkable water to people in Africa, not just trying to convert everyone. So, at least they are providing a needed service.
Thanks for the article. In a way, I have some grudging respect for missionaries putting themselves in harm’s way serving local communities. That beats the crazy lefties having selective outrage on whatever social issues but won’t do a thing aside from posting online or protesting. But you pointed out many valid points, especially the arrogance fueled by religiosity.
I think it's only natural/human to admire such seemingly selfless acts. And I think you can admire them as individuals, but I think we owe it to others like them to ask the hard questions about the enterprise and the beliefs behind it. I think they could have been admirable servants of God without sacrificing their lives. Agree on the lefties...I see that all the time, too. In general, "activist" types/zealots of any persuasion are not my cup of tea. They make everything far too simple and themselves the heroes.
There is some nuance here that I think warrants being mentioned. The young man grew up in Haiti, along with his sister. Their parents founded a mission organization there in 2000. He left for college and after graduating and getting married, returned to Haiti in 2022. The couple did not just suddenly decide to go to a dangerous place; for him, it was home. Now, I think it would have been smart for them to leave, and I agree with your many points about the culture of mission work. I think it's only fair to say that they did not undertake their work on a lark.
I mentioned his background and as an mk myself i feel that pull to home he must have felt very profoundly. Again, i don’t blame this couple as much as the religious culture and its idolization of missions. It’s the reason why he was raised in haiti and why he returned.
I read your article yesterday and am still pondering it -- so I concur with others that this is an important and well written piece. The angle that keeps rankling is the father in politics. I read some of the news coverage. I can believe the family is sincere. What gets me is voters saying, this approach to the world that led a family to sacrifice their kids? Yeah, we want that making policy decisions for our society. You can espouse whatever values you like and even sacrifice your own family for it--religions of all kinds have inspired its followers to all kinds of out of the norm behavior. But it should be a red flag as a societal model -- at least post enlightenment. It makes me wiggedy that folks don't mind -- even want! -- that kind of decision making in an official capacity.
I grew up with the stories of the Jungle Doctor. A missionary doctor in Africa. Looking back I realise some of the themes he covered were gruesome for a kid to digest and it shaped my worldview. In a way it shaped a Saviour complex in myself - God says it’s my job to fix things that are bad in the world, at the expense of myself. The first job I had was as teaching refugees in an incredibly poor underprivileged area. I didn’t know what had hit me and I had few resources to help me in a very complex situation. I’m still
coming to grips with that sort of theology which shapes ones life.
But having said that have just finished reading Bryan Stevensons “Just Mercy” book. He’s taken himself to an incredibly difficult and dangerous place and is doing great work and a lot of young white idealistic lawyers have followed him. I suppose what you are saying is the difference is the arrogance.
O'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner.
Holly, many of the points you made concerning this horrible tragedy are among this Sooner's reasons for laying aside the 'merican prot-evangel mindset and finding solace in the Holy Orthodox Church ☦️ and it's Incarnational Trinitarian Dogmas and Worldview.⛪🌐
Lord have mercy on these young missionaries and all of those they loved and served. May their family find solace in the Divine Mercy🕯️of God's compassionate faith, hope and love. 😣❤️🩹🇺🇲🇭🇹🛫 MEMORY ETERNAL!
Today, is the LeaveTaking of Great and Holy Pascha in the East. So, one last, CHRIST IS RISEN! for 2024AD.💫
🔥⛲ Most Holy Theotokos, save us. 🕊️
All Holy Trinity have mercy on us,
Lord cleanse us of our sins,
Master pardon our iniquities,
Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name's sake! Lord Have Mercy, Lord Have Mercy, Lord Have Mercy....
Thank you for speaking the truth on this longstanding issue. Someone needed to do it. So thank you. I hope those reading this will finally "get it." You done good girl.
Cross-cultural living was a school of humility for me. Yet, in certain Christian circles, my “missionary” experience is dismissed if my political commitments are not aligned with the theirs. And don’t get me started about American Christians who lived as illegal aliens (tourist visa overstays) and are eager to deport their fellow Christians in America for doing what they themselves did.
I think a lot of missionaries (certainly not all—Ive met many myopic ones who learned nothing) have so much to teach the American church. But they don’t really want the lessons do they? They just want the referred heroism, a reflection back to them of how they see themselves.
Very insightful article.
I have never really considered the side you just described. So thank you for that perspective.
Holly, you are brave posting this very good article. I so appreciate it. Thank you.
As you know, we were short term missionaries based in the US taking teams to Uganda for short term trips. My husband mostly traveled. I stayed home with our 5 mostly.
As I look back I see some good was done, but a lot of harm was done too. The white evangelical board members controlled all the purse strings, while the organization shared a narrative of how the local on the ground Ugandan staff were in charge. It wasn’t really true.
We were highly esteemed in our church because we were missionaries. The pressure for me was to perform as perfect wife with perfect godly well behaved children.
I ache at the arrogance of the white evangelical American church. No matter how I try to explain it to those I know deep in it right now, they cannot see it. It is humbling to remember how I was once there in thought and deed.
One question I’d love to dig into is WHY is Haiti in such chaos right now? What’s been colonialisms role in Haiti? I do know they threw off their slave holders dominance at one point to govern themselves.
I grieve for this couples unnecessary death. They are martyrs now to the church. I remember the glorification of Jim Elliot and his colleagues. I remember the high esteem held for Elizabeth Elliot as his widow. And now all these years later it’s come out she was in an abusive marriage for over 30 years with her third husband. She taught and lived her husband as head and she was to submit. Such a shame.
None of this is of God.
I think you are far braver to be so reflective and thoughtful of that experience. Definitely not something missionaries always do. And I get it--it can be hard and it often is a sacrifice, and the praise is sometimes the only reward, so I think it's human to play into the heroic narrative.
As to Haiti--or any failed state--I highly recommend the book Why Nations Fail. Colonialism is just one example of larger dynamics in which exploitative economics and concentrated political power reinforce each other and prevent the development of mediating institutions guarantee political participation, rewards innovation, and protects the ownership of ones labor, ideas, and property. It is an enjoyable read that makes complex concepts really easily understood.
Thank you! I'll check out Why Nations Fail.
Haiti is a mess because they are still in debt for their independence. France, backed by other colonial powers bankrupted Haiti for generations after the Toussaint L'Overture led revolts.
They have been succesively led by madmen and have never recovered from the Duvalier days (Papa Doc and Baby Doc)
Their environment is so degraded their soil is washing into the sea. There are almost no trees left.
It is the trauma of enslavement...fighting and winning and then being penalized for CENTURIES for your independence
Heartbreaking...
Right on, Holly. Written by an MK who has seen and sees the inside story. My husband and I are retired missionaries(23years) and pastorate Stateside 20 years). The points you make about seeing situations and people here in US are excellent.
We often ask God to bless what we do, but not for God to make us a part of what They are blessing. It's a hero complex, as you say. And sometimes it costs lives. Others are doing the work, and we can simply join them.
This is a great article, Holly. Would you mind if shared it to the Reddit Bulwark subreddit?
Sure
Wow Holly! Thank-you for showing me yet another belief that I was brought up with that needs another look. Missionaries were the rock stars of our Baptist church. Oh my, Referred heroism!!
You know it, Jan! The Southern Baptists created modern missions and missionary heroes.
I worked for a large life insurance company before retirement 12/21. One of our application questions is about planned travel. Personal travel for a short time to most nations is ok. But if traveling on a church mission, we scrutinize. Thus travel to India to a city for family or business is ok, but on a Christian mission-- not ok. And some countries like Haiti are off limits period.
Re the separate matter of belief and ideology, well growing up in NJ, we knew very few Protestants of any stripe (my neighborhood was mostly Catholics and Jews) so no one identified as "Christian",
Another great piece Holly. You’re killing this writing thing.
One question though? Are you sure you’re a … you know … a Christian?
I’m an antitheist and we couldn’t be any more aligned on this.
Lol 😂 I am trying to follow the way of Christ. Failing much of the time. Belief by definition is uncertain. Nobody knows what’s really going on. I believe in love as the engine of the universe. I believe Jesus embodied love quite nicely. 🤷♀️
I have a friend who quit his high paying job to start up a missions group. But they concentrate on getting drinkable water to people in Africa, not just trying to convert everyone. So, at least they are providing a needed service.
Thanks for the article. In a way, I have some grudging respect for missionaries putting themselves in harm’s way serving local communities. That beats the crazy lefties having selective outrage on whatever social issues but won’t do a thing aside from posting online or protesting. But you pointed out many valid points, especially the arrogance fueled by religiosity.
I think it's only natural/human to admire such seemingly selfless acts. And I think you can admire them as individuals, but I think we owe it to others like them to ask the hard questions about the enterprise and the beliefs behind it. I think they could have been admirable servants of God without sacrificing their lives. Agree on the lefties...I see that all the time, too. In general, "activist" types/zealots of any persuasion are not my cup of tea. They make everything far too simple and themselves the heroes.
There is some nuance here that I think warrants being mentioned. The young man grew up in Haiti, along with his sister. Their parents founded a mission organization there in 2000. He left for college and after graduating and getting married, returned to Haiti in 2022. The couple did not just suddenly decide to go to a dangerous place; for him, it was home. Now, I think it would have been smart for them to leave, and I agree with your many points about the culture of mission work. I think it's only fair to say that they did not undertake their work on a lark.
I mentioned his background and as an mk myself i feel that pull to home he must have felt very profoundly. Again, i don’t blame this couple as much as the religious culture and its idolization of missions. It’s the reason why he was raised in haiti and why he returned.
I read your article yesterday and am still pondering it -- so I concur with others that this is an important and well written piece. The angle that keeps rankling is the father in politics. I read some of the news coverage. I can believe the family is sincere. What gets me is voters saying, this approach to the world that led a family to sacrifice their kids? Yeah, we want that making policy decisions for our society. You can espouse whatever values you like and even sacrifice your own family for it--religions of all kinds have inspired its followers to all kinds of out of the norm behavior. But it should be a red flag as a societal model -- at least post enlightenment. It makes me wiggedy that folks don't mind -- even want! -- that kind of decision making in an official capacity.
I grew up with the stories of the Jungle Doctor. A missionary doctor in Africa. Looking back I realise some of the themes he covered were gruesome for a kid to digest and it shaped my worldview. In a way it shaped a Saviour complex in myself - God says it’s my job to fix things that are bad in the world, at the expense of myself. The first job I had was as teaching refugees in an incredibly poor underprivileged area. I didn’t know what had hit me and I had few resources to help me in a very complex situation. I’m still
coming to grips with that sort of theology which shapes ones life.
But having said that have just finished reading Bryan Stevensons “Just Mercy” book. He’s taken himself to an incredibly difficult and dangerous place and is doing great work and a lot of young white idealistic lawyers have followed him. I suppose what you are saying is the difference is the arrogance.
I didn’t think he works overseas?
Of course. Your article has made me think a lot about the serving in extreme situations part of Christianity.
O'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner.
Holly, many of the points you made concerning this horrible tragedy are among this Sooner's reasons for laying aside the 'merican prot-evangel mindset and finding solace in the Holy Orthodox Church ☦️ and it's Incarnational Trinitarian Dogmas and Worldview.⛪🌐
Lord have mercy on these young missionaries and all of those they loved and served. May their family find solace in the Divine Mercy🕯️of God's compassionate faith, hope and love. 😣❤️🩹🇺🇲🇭🇹🛫 MEMORY ETERNAL!
Today, is the LeaveTaking of Great and Holy Pascha in the East. So, one last, CHRIST IS RISEN! for 2024AD.💫
🔥⛲ Most Holy Theotokos, save us. 🕊️
All Holy Trinity have mercy on us,
Lord cleanse us of our sins,
Master pardon our iniquities,
Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name's sake! Lord Have Mercy, Lord Have Mercy, Lord Have Mercy....
Grace and Peace to you.
Thank you for speaking the truth on this longstanding issue. Someone needed to do it. So thank you. I hope those reading this will finally "get it." You done good girl.