THE SCOPE OF II 1 SSI 0 . 1 IS
Ed ited b y Oran II. Smith
Chairman, Dept, of Missions, Biola Bible College
From Dr. Talbot Another On-thc-Spot Report
Returning to the hotel, Mr. Percy and Mr. Ralph Davis, secretary of the Africa Inland Mission, studied our Africa itinerary with us and offered many helpful suggestions, assuring us of the hearty co-operation of their respective missions as we journey to their fields of Christian service. We were made to realize something of the magnitude of our responsibil ity as we heard these men tell of the anticipations of the missionaries. It was interesting and helpful td hear the appraisal of our project from these missionary leaders. I had al ways wondered just what their re actions were to the increasing num ber of visitors who are traveling these days to mission lands. I was so strong ly impressed by their suggestions'that I have formulated a sort of code which I intend to follow and to pass along to others who are contemplat ing a missionary journey. Check your motives. What is your real purpose in going? Are you just a globe-trotter, a picture fiend or a sightseer? Or are you interested in taking a blessing to the missionaries, and lending a helping hand? Are you seeking to promote your own private interests or are you endeavoring to actually further the cause of foreign missions? Don’t allow yourself to he a bur den. This is a pretty big order, but the blessing will far outweigh any burden if you fit your program into that of the missionary and pay your own expenses. Whatever you do, don’t “ sponge” off the missionaries. They have little enough already. Try to make some definite contribu tion. Don’t be always on the re ceiving end, expecting the missionary to conform to your wishes simply be cause you have traveled a long way to see him. Be prepared to report on news from the homeland, and to présent something refreshing from your study of the Scriptures and from your Christian experience. Pray, encourage, and assist, but don’t com plain or criticize. Well, these aren’t all of the neces sary points to watch, but they will give you some idea as to how we are facing the continuance of our journey. Tomorrow we fly to Madrid. Spain is a country which until recently has been cold and unfriendly to Ameri can visitors, and which is still in tolerant to the American missionary. CONTINUED ► 2 9
to me the substance of the testimon ies they gave; all had to do with demons and how the Lord enabled them to overcome all fear of slavery to them. Yesterday morning Dr. Smith intro duced me to the French general. I think he will allow me to go to one of the fronts where the battle is real ly raging. Soldiers and convoys are to be seen everywhere. This country wouldn’t last 24 hours if it were not for American arms. Saigon Harbor is filled with American ships carry ing tanks, planes and all kinds of ammunition and weapons. Then, too, America is doing a wonderful job through the Red Cross. Epidemics and starvation would be rampant if it were not for the U.S. My, but I’m proud of my country! Well, it is time for the. jeep to move. We are carrying four high- powered rifles and a good shotgun. Then, too, we have a good supply of tracts. Dr. Smith speaks four lan guages and through him I’ll be able to speak to the people. Have about 1,500 feet of film and should get some wonderful pictures. From Oron Smith Enroute to A frica W e are on our way at last! When the i great super-constellation which brought us from Los An geles to New York in 7 hours and 10 minutes landed at Idylwild this morning we had completed the first leg of our missionary journey. After a brief “freshening up” at the hotel, the first assignment of the day was a visit to the home office of the Sudan Interior Mission. Rev. J. O. Percy, the hospitable secretary, was expecting us and suggested that we have lunch together with the Christian Business Men’s Committee which had assembled to hear a report from Kenneth Taylor, chairman of The Evangelical Literature Overseas Committee. The opportunity being right in line with the purpose of our expedition, we gladly accepted the invitation of our host. Besides hearing of this expanding missionary service agency, the meet ing brought us into direct contact with businessmen, pastors and mis sionaries, some of them old friends whom we hadn’t seen for some time.
Banmethuot Viet-Nam; Indo-China January 10, 1954
II ere are a few hastily written lines 11 to let you know of my safe arrival in this much troubled part of a troubled world. Spent two profitable weeks in Singapore and the Malay. Am sending about 1,700 feet of film. The pictures of the fire-walkers and human pin cushions will be taken later. Today, Dr. Smith and I travel by jeep some 150 miles North into the most primitive parts of Indo-China. Even here, where we are now is the tiger country; but where we are going is the home of the tiger, wild ele phants, and the python, etc.; besides the most dreaded of all, the wild buffalo. This is the only animal here that charges at sight. Tonight we plan to shoot one of these buffalo and tie it to a tree. Then Dr. Smith and I will stay all night on a plat form erected in a tree nearby and wait. I hope to bring a tiger skin when I return. The trees are alive with monkeys of all breeds and varieties and the birds are numerous and strange. A big horned-bill toucan wakened me this morning. He was on a tree, just outside my window bellowing like a bull of Bashan. The people here are the most super stitious you can find anywhere. They are constantly sacrificing chickens and bullocks to appease the wrath of the demons. The people have no compassion for those who suffer—at least for suffering animals. They put everything to death by torture. Mrs. Smith told me that when pictures of the crucifixion are shown the people roar with laughter as the sufferings of Christ are described. And yet, there are wonderful Christians here, magnificent trophies of the grace of God. Last evening, at 5:00, I addressed about one hundred and fifty lepers. It was a tragic sight. And quite a number of them know the Lord and are living radiant lives. Then after supper we had another meeting. Some of the Christians walked twelve miles to attend the meetings. The Lord worked in the hearts of about three hundred present. Dr. Smith relayed
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