June, 1Ô42
THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NE SS
211
How to Entertain Missionaries By One of Them S OME ONE in the family may have reminded you that the missionary who spoke at the church last evening mentioned that shame it is that those dear, conse crated folks, who work so sacrificially in the missi'onary society, have not heard some of the details which he could tell them to increase their mis sionary zeal.
the missionaries never have oppor tunity to enjoy pork' or bacon on the mission field where he is located. You have invited him to your house for a meal with the announced desire of becoming better, acquainted with him and his work. And thoughtfully, you wonder whether a good roast of pork would not please him. He comes and takes supper with you. The meat verily is one of the treats that the homeland provides him, and he remarks about it, much to your pleasure. Other attentions; which'you may be led to show him avail equally to make his few months away from his field a definite change, and are conducive to making his fur lough ’what the mission executives wished it might be when they appor tioned perhaps hundreds of dollars for his passage home. The Unprofitable Way The conversation" throughout this particular evening, however, covers little other than trivial “small talk.” Then when the evening grows late and the guest must think of trolley or bus schedules, -one of the children, Who has been holding his peace, re membering his special permission to stay up later this evening, asks the missionary tck tell more about the time he got lost for two days in the forest “Oh, yes, do tell'us,” you add, “ but it is too bad that it is so late because we did want td hear about the clinic you opened for the lepers, and how your young Abuma is progressing with the translation of the New Testa ment.” It is almost time for the bus, so in order to please the lad, the story is told of wandering for two days in a mountainous region in the midst of the rainy season. Hearty »(hanks for the delicious sup per—“especially that good pork”— are expressed by the missionary. Then the guest hurries out to the corner to catch the bus, and the family’s eve ning with the Lord’s ambassador to the regions beyond is over for the next half a decade. The Right Way Some days later you meet a church member who has entertained the same missionary. News of his plans to open
Perhaps a definite suggestion or two will help in this problem. When you invite a missionary brother to your home, try to have an understand ing among your family that you will open the conversation on “missions” early in the evening. It is amazing how much time can flow by just talk ing of other things first. Leading questions that are intelli gent help pave the way. Ask what he most wishes people to pray for; who his companions on the field are; what are the chief difficulties; how he goes about his work, and, if you like, what he might desire as assistance in the homeland. Or invite him simply to talk to you. He probably is used to speaking in public and has his best stories selected and polished for just such an opportunity. Make up your mind whether you wish just to be amused as did Tommy in asking for the story of being lost, or whether you really wish to be In formed. A guest from foreign lands is indeed interesting because he can de scribe exotic people, customs, and scenery, yet you do not wish to pray .for the beautiful mountains behind his mission station! One of the most readable books on life in China was written by a mis sionary who once t h r i l l e d some friends by his after-dinner stories of his adopted land. The experiences were printed, by request and were sold widely, thus passing on to many the wonder of God’s hand at work among the Chinese—all because after the roast pork,, the missionary told stories of the mission field! Let us, both mis sionaries and Christian hosts and hostesses in the homeland, make our hours together really count. Fellow ship that is both stimulating and re freshing can result—if we try. SENTENCE SERMONS It is not enough to know an oppor tunity when you see it. You must be prepared to grasp it and make it yours. The largest realization of the pres ence of Christ is in the widest fulfill ment of His command: “Go ye.” Loving-kindness has touched more hearts than has either zeal, eloquence, or learning.
two new stations over those moun tains where he was lost, his story about the old native who accepted the Lord by the river side when he had been wounded by robbers, and various other details are told you by your friend. Obviously, there was a differ ence in the manner of entertaining the brother from afar. In the latter home, he enjoyed a good meal with baked ham, yet the occasion did not end there. The family in this other home learned much that, would better acquaint them with his task so that they could pray more intelligently for him. The reason was that they made a point to inquire about his work. When a missionary retftrns from his field, try to let him talk. You really wish to have him do so, but he hesi tates to refer much to his activities unless you appear to desire it. He realizes that he is a representative for the believers at home and that they should know, more thoroughly than general circular letters can pic ture, what the conditions are .like on his field. If Ije is a Spirit-filled man, he will talk pnly in order that you may know of the triumphs which the Lord Himself has wrought among, the people to which you sent him. Give him an opportunity to speak of his work, lest he depart thinking what a
* "Use hospitality one to another without grudging 9
(1 Pet•4:9) *
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