“I want to know why you decided to become a missionary.”
Sprinkled with curiosity and perhaps a bit of skepticism, June’s question told me that she was looking for something more than the simple answer I usually give. Caught off guard, I paused, not knowing how to respond. What was behind her question? Was she looking for a debate? Was she challenging the premise of mission work? Should I share my testimony?
It was the first day of module two at Union Language School in Bangkok. I had only briefly met my two classmates—one from Korea, the other from Taiwan. Cindi and I make it a habit to pray that the Lord will give us opportunities to witness to our classmates, teachers and those who we come in contact with day to day. However, I was not expecting my prayer to be answered so quickly.
In the course of our brief dialogue, June shared that, as a little girl, she went to church with her father, but no longer attends. I don’t remember exactly what I said, but when I mentioned that I felt confident it was God’s will that we serve as missionaries, she gave me a quizzical look and asked how I knew. Before I could give more detail, the teacher walked into the room, and class began.
Sensing that June still had a desire to know the Lord, I began thinking about the best way to share with her. That night, I told Cindi about the conversation, and we both began to pray earnestly for opportunities and wisdom to reach out to June.
After spending years in full-time Bible Work in America, I have no problem asking people I barely know if they have an interest in studying the Bible with me. However, working in a new culture among people with limited knowledge or misconceptions about Christianity has made me more cautious until I have a better understanding of the person, their worldview and their understanding—if any—of Christianity. Also, the language school I attend is Christian, but I have noticed that many non-Christian students who attend seem guarded and wary of being “evangelized.” Because of these new dynamics, I have been learning to pray more and rely on the Spirit to work on hearts, open doors and provide divine appointments.
Within a couple of days of praying for June, Cindi and I were given the opportunity to go with her to a convention in Bangkok. During our conversation on our way back, I felt impressed to ask her more about her experiences attending church as a child. She had just told us she was fascinated with the study of philosophy, and how she can see pieces of truth in many different worldviews. It was almost as if I could hear her saying, “How can just one be right?” As she recounted more of her childhood experience and showed us pictures of her parents, I asked if she ever studied the Bible in her philosophical pursuits. “No,” she replied, “no one has ever taught me how.” Immediately, I saw the open door.
The following week, we began studying the Bible with June and have been very encouraged by her interest and response thus far. We pray that we will be able to guide her to Biblical answers for her questions and lead her to a saving relationship with the Author of the one true philosophy.
As I reflect on the events that led up to studying the Bible with June, I am reminded yet again of the power and importance of friendship. The day I met June, if I had invited her to study the Bible with us, she would almost certainly have declined. However, because we were able to spend time getting to know her outside of class, the topic of Bible study opened up in a very natural, non-threatening way.
I am reminded of the following statement: “Your success will not depend so much upon your knowledge and accomplishments, as upon your ability to find your way to the heart. By being social and coming close to the people, you may turn the current of their thoughts more readily than by the most able discourse. The presentation of Christ in the family, by the fireside, and in small gatherings in private houses is often more successful in winning souls to Jesus than are sermons delivered in the open air, to the moving throng, or even in halls or churches” (Gospel Workers p. 193).
As a full-time missionary, sometimes I feel tempted to try to impress people with my ministerial skills or knowledge of the Bible. However, the truth of the matter is that the only way we can be truly successful at reaching people is by taking the time to develop friendships and finding ways to reach their hearts. In fact, the more I think about this, the more I realize that this is ultimately the reason why we decided to become missionaries.
