The Longest Two Weeks...

We have had the very sad and grievous experience of having to help a missionary family leave the field on short notice due to immorality. It was two weeks from the time we knew what was happening until they left our home in CDO. I was with them 24/7 for those two weeks, and Dad was there most of the time. He had to drive to Davao and bring back their daughters who had just begun to adjust to life in boarding. Amidst the wreckage of the family, there were crates to pack and many insignificant choices to make. Who can imagine the pain and long term suffering that can result from this kind of thing? Who can imagine the long term damage to ministry in and around that city? It is so wrong, and so sad! For me it has made me even more convinced than ever that ruthless missionary screening is essential. Missionaries always are and always will be under attack by our enemy. He has eons of experience and knows how to destroy and use the weak. Those sent must have the internal strength of long term personal stability as well as a well used and well oiled spiritual armor. They must love and fear God above all else. They must care little for material things and the praise of men, but must seek to live a life of love, forgivness and self-sacrifice for others in the face of every kind of criticism, misunderstanding, and pain in human relationships that there can be. This is the life of the cross. Anything less the enemy will use to destroy the works of God in one way or another. Pray for us that we will stand firm in the trials and testings of our character and faith and be found worthy to continue to serve HIm here.