We learned to appreciate “sufficiency”
over “maximum,” an “assisting” role over
a “controlling” one, and to appreciate the growth
from “unexpected and strange” rather than the comfort
of “predictable and familiar.” Most of all, we believe
God worked on us to value “harmony” over “victory”
and to think in terms of “we” rather than “us
and them,” especially with the people we have little in
common. Perhaps the command for us is to appreciate “peace”
and to become “peace-makers.”
Here in Nepal, as was the case in Congo, we follow in the footsteps
of missionaries who gave their lives to love and nurture God’s
children. Our task, as late-comers, is to encourage and assist
the people here to stand on their own feet, rather than continuing
to rely on missionary leadership and resources from overseas.
Certainly venturing out on their own is an endeavor on the order
of an Abrahamic journey. Simon used to question their motivation
for wanting to maintain the status quo, until we realized that
our Nepali colleagues feel the same anxiety and insecurity we
felt seven years ago when we left the familiar lifestyle of the
United States and ventured into the life of a missionary couple.
Once we began to use this set of eyes, we see that so much of
the world’s population is on a forced march. At least we
started on the journey based on our trust in God’s assurance
that he is with us to the end of this earth. Is Simon’s
assurance that it is the right path enough for the project staff
and their families to take steps into the wilderness? How do we
share the assurance so that Jesus’ words and promises come
alive in their lives? How does Simon carry this out as an accountant?
We pray to be “ready” at all times to be peacemakers,
speaking the truth with love, and to point to Jesus Christ as
the proof of God’s love for and commitment to us. We also
pray that we will be less concerned about the calendar days, but
remain focused on the destination to which God calls us. As we
rejoice in the birth of our Lord, may we be “ready”
to receive Him amongst us and share Him with those who are not
“like us.” We pray that we would not try to fit Christmas
into our schedule, but to live for sharing Christmas.
We do not know what plans God has for us for our next term. We
believe we are called to serve through the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), thus we are listening carefully where and in what capacity
God wants us to serve. We will have at least the first half of
2005 to listen and respond. A large part of listening is to share
our stories with Presbyterian family members through visits during
our interpretation assignment. Should you want us to come visit
your congregations and groups, please let us know. The best way
to contact us through the mail is c/o Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202. We will communicate
with you again when we get phone numbers and mailing addresses
in the United States. The email address will remain the same:
Parks@ParkSquare.Net.
May you rejoice in the birth of our King.
Haejung & Simon
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
203
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