Dear Missionary Recruit, I have been trying for weeks--literally-- to write this letter. It seems I can scarcely make it past the first paragraph without crying. I wish that there was a way I could take my heart and mind; with all the joys, heartaches, praises, recipes, and cross-cultural information; and plant them within you. If only there was a section of me marked, "AFRICA." It would contain every prayer, every packing list, every hot, windy day, every lizard that ever crawled across my kitchen counter, every vacation at the Indian Ocean, every smile on every child's face, every word of encouragement from a supporting church, every tip on how to survive without a refrigerator, and every praise I ever lifted to the Lord for sending me to such a continent as Africa. First of all, I want to confirm my love for you. I want you to be assured--beyond the shadow of a doubtthat I will never stop loving you and never stop praying for your best in God's Kingdom. You cannot do f-f 90-^ IW anything so dumb, so ignorant, or sinful that I can't forgive if you seek forgiveness. I will always accept you right where you are--joyful or depressed, discouraged or elated. God blessed me with friends like that during my years in Kenya, and I want to be that kind of a friend for you. Through this letter, I want to give you a glimpse of Africa as I see it, after several years of experiencing the joys and the sorrowsof that continent. Africa. Older than can possibly be imagined. I/nchanging. An old, old, mouldering circle. Nothing is new. All that has happened will happen again. Birth, life, pain, love, defeat, conflict, victory, famine, joy, disease, laughter, death. The circle remains Always The same. Only the characters change. But then came a manGod in human flesh. And the black people named him Yesu Kristo, The old circle was broken forever. The people with whom we worked were ancient. They would have felt right at home with Abraham, wearing animal skins and following their flocks from one watering hole to another. That brings me to my first point: 1. "PRIMITIVE" PEOPLE ARE VERY RELIGIOUS They are not likely to be impressed by some ugly white man with only one wife, no cows, and who doesn't even have gray hair. The possibility that this strange creature should be able to tell them anything about God is absolutely preposterous! We missionaries think we are so smart--at first. The sad thing is that some missionaries strut around for years, secure in the belief that they could teach God a thing or two about how to "convert heathens." I believe that God has placed within the hearts of all people a hungering for Him. We could save ourselves a lot of time--and moneyby getting to know the people and discovering the ways God might already be revealing Himself to them. What are their views of God? Do we have the ability to speak to the people about God in their own language? How do we really feel about these people? Are they just a curiosity from the pages of a 1946 issue of National Geographic? 2. DON'T COMPLICATE THINGS! I suppose one of my greatest regrets from my years in Kenya was the time when I participated in the promotion of the western idea of a marriage ceremony. By advocating white dresses and veils (and shoes!), we have placed upon these Christian churches a burden they cannot bear without help from outsiders. In years to come, it will be a hindrance to a Christian view of marriage in the African context. I don't think God intended it this way. The Apostle Paul didn't write our modern marriage vows. You don't find John saying anything against wearing goat skins to your own wedding. Likewise, we have "westernized" Christ's church in many other ways. One of our greatest frustrations was the idea promoted by some missionaries long ago that the people should use American or European hymns, translated into their own languages, rather than letting the people worship God with their own, original songs of praise. Decades from now, the church in Africa will continue to struggle under the weight of some of the excess baggage of our western culture. 3. KILLING SNAKES I became very adept at killing snakes. Ordinarily I wouldn't even mention the subject. I am basically opposed to "missionary horror stories." But I want to prove a point: GOD IS MIGHTIER THAN OUR MOST BLOOD-CURDLING PHOBIAS. Before going to Kenya, I had many frightening pre-conceptions of what it might be like there. Some of them turned out to be true! But my greatest fears prior to going to the mission field (not the least of which was my fear of snakes), were positively anemic when compared to the mighty storms the Lord carried me through. I could go on for pages--and probably will at another time--but the most important thing is this: Total trust in the Lord Jesus Christ is essential. It is the very life blood of the missionary. There will be times in your ministry when you absolutely cannot see by your own power. At those times you will need to place your total life and ministry in the hands of the One who can see past the valley to the mountaintop beyond. It is there! I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant;' I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:9, 10 I am calling you away^ Away from home and all that is loved and familiar^ Away from family. Away from churches, Away from friends. Away from washing machines, running water, indoor plumbing, lawns, flowers, cake mixes, microwave ovens, carpeting, bookstores, new shoes, potluck dinners, and color-coordinated bath towels. You are my servant. In return, I'm giving you loneliness, illness, outhouses, flat tires, flooded rivers, sun-faded clothes, thorns, goat intestine soup, snakes, roasted termites, sunburn, and dysentery. And I give you these promises: I promise resources to meet every need. I promise strength for your tired body. I promise light for your darkest hours. I promise spiritual refreshing. I promise you My Word. I promise you wisdom. I promise a depth of fellowship you have never before experienced. I promise a solid footing in the depths of your deepest discouragement, If you will allow me, I will turn every defeat into a victory. Every tear you shed will become a diamond drop of blessing. The battles waged will become a tool for your growth and My glory. And I will never leave you or forsake you. "For you are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you." Isaiah 43:4 Mike and Linda Courtney have lived in Kenya, Africa with their two children since 1980. In 1986, they returned to the States for an extended furlough, until their children finish secondary school. Mike is currently completing graduate studies for a Master's Degree in Psychology and Counseling. Linda is a Registered Nurse and works as a Psychiatric Nurse for a Mental Health Clinic. She also works part time for an adult alcohol and drug detoxification unit and for an adolescent drug treatment program.