[CAN MISSIONARIES HAVE GOOD THINGS?]
Our first year as missionaries we barely had anything. We had zero monthly sponsors, drank water and tea the whole day, were able to eat cheese on our bread once a week, didn’t have a car, a couch, a bed, or a tv or anything else in that line. As the years passed by, more people got to know about us and our work and the amount of sponsors we had started to increase. And because of that, so did our material possessions increase, slowly but surely.
Our first year as missionaries we barely had anything
After 4 years watching movies on a laptop that got hot and made lots of noises, we decided to buy a smart tv. We got in some extra money and there was a huge special. “Investment for the future”, was our reasoning. Maybe in a few years time we have internet and than we can connect our tv. So on a good “Black Friday” (a 24-hour discount mania in all the shops that happens once a year) my husband went to the shops to get us a smart tv. He was out for a long time before he finally called me, “Nicol, I got one right now. I am holding it in my hands. It’s the last one and everyone else is gazing their eyes on it, because it is really big. Should I keep it or let go?” After a lengthy discussion back and forth we decided to just go for it. After all, we had been asking God for a long time for a good tv. As we brought the big tv home we put the box in our living room. My husband and I just stared at it, then looked at each other and simultaneously said, “No, this is too much. We can’t do this!” We left the box unopened and my husband brought the tv back the next day. During the day I got a phone call again, “Honey, I want to bring back the tv, but the guy in the shop says we are really making a mistake! It’s a very good tv and very wanted and the price we got it for is exceptional. Should we really bring it back?”
As we brought the big tv home we put the box in our living room and just stared at it
There I was, not knowing what to say. Of course I wanted the tv! But it was much bigger than we had in mind and slightly more expensive than anticipated. The screen was so big! “We don’t need such a big screen! What will the people say when they come into our house? They will think we have so much money!“….After many more calls and my husband just standing there in the shop, we decided to once again go for it.
And there it was, that big tv staring at us every time we entered the house. The Namibians didn’t seem to think much of it. As a matter of fact they were happy for us, probably also because they were anticipating watching on this tv themselves. My biggest concern was however the people back home in the Netherlands. What will they think of all of this?
And so it happened that the first Dutchies came for a visit. As we showed them our house it was soon mentioned that our tv was bigger than theirs and that our washing machine was a veeeeerry nice one! Our washing machine was a beautiful, brand new, luxury washing machine, given by my family because the previous one broke and we had to do handwashing for weeks. As they spoke I felt guilty, guilty for having such nice things. I felt like I had defend myself. Should I explain the whole story of the tv? Should I explain that this tv also is a blessing for the people around us? Should I explain that our washing machine was a gift?
My biggest concern was the people back home, what will they think about it?
In the midst of my discouragement I suddenly felt convicted that I shouldn’t feel so guilty. God is the One Who blesses. He is our judge. He knows with what kind of motives we buy things. He knows our hearts desires, He knows we are not reckless spenders that don’t think of anyone else but themselves.
Sadly enough though, this guilt-conscious about nice things is the reality for many missionaries. “Can I go out for dinner next week? No, probably not. But men, I really need to get out with my husband. Ok, maybe we can do it, but can we post a picture on Facebook about it? What will our people back home say? They must think we do this all the time and just waste their money! Maybe we can go, but I shouldn’t put in on social media”
You know, the majority of missionaries think through every cent they spent. They not only think about it, but pray about it as well, maybe even fast at times! We are entrusted with money given by other people and God wants us to be good stewards of it. And so, we are trying our very best to do the right thing at all times. But you know what, we are humans after all with a desire for beautiful things too, just like everybody else. We also enjoy going out for dinner, or going for a get-away or watching movies on a big screen.
The majority of missionaries think through every cent they spent
Missionaries, please let us not doubt ourselves or be ashamed of good things, as long as we are responsible, accountable and appreciative. When possible, let’s “enjoy” the blessings of life sometimes without the feeling of having to hide or feel bad about anything. And for those standing with us, please celebrate with us when we receive blessings. Blessings come from God and He might just use you to do so.
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