Misssionaries With God Complexes

[Owl]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Very sad.

To many of these countries, just living in the US seems to them we are rich. Is there needs in the US, of course, but as a whole, Americans are blessed.

A friend I work with just returned from Peru - a very poor nation. It was a vacation not a missions trip. They visited a school while they were there and gave $7 US to provide the children a "treat" that day. Each child was giving a small piece of cheese and crackers and he said they were so excited.

He stood and just cried to witness that.

Are there needs in the US - - yes, of course and we do need to take care of our own too. But, I wasn't offended at all by what was said - - these countries live in huts with dirt floors - they don't have government programs helping them provide school lunches, provide groceries, etc.

I think some were a little hyper sensitive to the heart of what was being spoken.

Those are great points, Renda.

My dissatisfaction has nothing to do with the fact that there truly is a need for missions giving. It has more to do with the fact that a missionary insulted one of the most giving nations in the world and all of the hard-working Apostolics in it. She insulted the very nation most responsible for her continued ability to preach in Brazil.

No one is holding a gun to her head. A missionary becomes a missionary by choice. The martyr shtick wears thin, especially when it is slathered with excessive amounts of gooey guilt.

The light of American Christianity was once a bonfire. It has now faded to a smoldering flicker. America is in desperate need of evangelism, or she will soon become as dark as Europe.

[Sister Alvear]

Originally Posted by Owl

Those are great points, Renda.

My dissatisfaction has nothing to do with the fact that there truly is a need for missions giving. It has more to do with the fact that a missionary insulted one of the most giving nations in the world and all of the hard-working Apostolics in it. She insulted the very nation most responsible for her continued ability to preach in Brazil.

No one is holding a gun to her head. A missionary becomes a missionary by choice. The martyr shtick wears thin, especially when it is slathered with excessive amounts of gooey guilt.

The light of American Christianity was once a bonfire. It has now faded to a smoldering flicker. America is in desperate need of evangelism, or she will soon become as dark as Europe.

Will you forgive me?

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Owl

Those are great points, Renda.

My dissatisfaction has nothing to do with the fact that there truly is a need for missions giving. It has more to do with the fact that a missionary insulted one of the most giving nations in the world and all of the hard-working Apostolics in it. She insulted the very nation most responsible for her continued ability to preach in Brazil.

No one is holding a gun to her head. A missionary becomes a missionary by choice. The martyr shtick wears thin, especially when it is slathered with excessive amounts of gooey guilt.

The light of American Christianity was once a bonfire. It has now faded to a smoldering flicker. America is in desperate need of evangelism, or she will soon become as dark as Europe.

Shame on you, Owl.

The truth is, that while Americans DO give huge amounts of money to charitable and mission-oriented causes, we do NOT give as much as we could. Nor do we suffer poverty the way that those in third world countries suffer poverty. When we "give till it hurts", truthfully we are not hurting, and we still have our needs (and our families' needs) met.

The TRUTH is, only those who have sacrificed everything for the sake of the kingdom will understand these sorts of posts. Missionaries definitely endure more hardship and SEE more hardship than your average American Christian. Therefore, I respect what missionaries have to say, assuming that they have more experience with these things than I do.

The TRUTH is, we give to missions and charities, but we most DEFINITELY could be giving more.

The TRUTH is, we give our dollars, because sometimes that alleviates the guilt we feel for not actually DOING anything.

The TRUTH is, if something that was posted bothers you that much, maybe it isn't the speaker's motives you should be analyzing.

The TRUTH is, there's nothing productive in you coming here and maligning a very dear woman, simply because you felt a little guilt when you read her posts. Perhaps you should take that guilt and do something with it.

The TRUTH is, if you get out and start making concerted efforts to evangelize and do outreach, you will be unpleasantly surprised at how FEW American Christians really want to get their hands dirty. (statistically speaking) They might be willing to donate money to your cause--just so they don't have to wash their hands later.

You should be absolutely ashamed of this thread, Owl.

[Owl]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Shame on you, Owl.

The truth is, that while Americans DO give huge amounts of money to charitable and mission-oriented causes, we do NOT give as much as we could. Nor do we suffer poverty the way that those in third world countries suffer poverty. When we "give till it hurts", truthfully we are not hurting, and we still have our needs (and our families' needs) met.

The TRUTH is, only those who have sacrificed everything for the sake of the kingdom will understand these sorts of posts. Missionaries definitely endure more hardship and SEE more hardship than your average American Christian. Therefore, I respect what missionaries have to say, assuming that they have more experience with these things than I do.

The TRUTH is, we give to missions and charities, but we most DEFINITELY could be giving more.

The TRUTH is, we give our dollars, because sometimes that alleviates the guilt we feel for not actually DOING anything.

The TRUTH is, if something that was posted bothers you that much, maybe it isn't the speaker's motives you should be analyzing.

The TRUTH is, there's nothing productive in you coming here and maligning a very dear woman, simply because you felt a little guilt when you read her posts. Perhaps you should take that guilt and do something with it.

The TRUTH is, if you get out and start making concerted efforts to evangelize and do outreach, you will be unpleasantly surprised at how FEW American Christians really want to get their hands dirty. (statistically speaking) They might be willing to donate money to your cause--just so they don't have to wash their hands later.

You should be absolutely ashamed of this thread, Owl.

Sister,

The TRUTH is, I have not maligned anyone. I merely exposed the saccharine sweetness that insults and guilts good people into opening up the pocketbooks.

The TRUTH is, I have given my entire adult life to ministry, with little expectation of compensation. Yet I realize that lack and hardship is shared by millions of pastors and missionaries around the world. I don't get on the internet and whine about it incessantly.

The TRUTH is, no one is obligated to give homes and food to foreigners, although that would be nice. Our responsibility is not housing the lost, it's preaching to the lost.

The TRUTH is, your post smacks of judgment and "seer"ism.

[Sister Alvear]

Originally Posted by Owl

Sister,

The TRUTH is, I have not maligned anyone. I merely exposed the saccharine sweetness that insults and guilts good people into opening up the pocketbooks.

The TRUTH is, I have given my entire adult life to ministry, with little expectation of compensation. Yet I realize that lack and hardship is shared by millions of pastors and missionaries around the world. I don't get on the internet and whine about it incessantly.

The TRUTH is, no one is obligated to give homes and food to foreigners, although that would be nice. Our responsibility is not housing the lost, it's preaching to the lost.

The TRUTH is, your post smacks of judgment and "seer"ism.

I don't think I have ever whinned...give me your name and I will gladly take you off....I often tell of great victories, baptisims, people receiving the Holy Ghost and post hundreds of real life pictures to back up what I post. Yes, it is true we face many difficulties...went 2 years without a car, I do not have retirement or insurance...Raised 11 children plus others that ate at our table...No I am not complainning one bit but my FRIENDS always tell me, sister Alvear, let us know your needs...if you are not my friend please block me...I will consider you my friend anyway...

[Owl]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

I don't think I have ever whinned...give me your name and I will gladly take you off....I often tell of great victories, baptisims, people receiving the Holy Ghost and post hundreds of real life pictures to back up what I post. Yes, it is true we face many difficulties...went 2 years without a car, I do not have retirement or insurance...Raised 11 children plus others that ate at our table...No I am not complainning one bit but my FRIENDS always tell me, sister Alvear, let us know your needs...if you are not my friend please block me...I will consider you my friend anyway...

Owl's the name, hootin's my game.

[whoami]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

. When we "give till it hurts", truthfully we are not hurting, and we still have our needs (and our families' needs) met.

This is the case for most, not all though. Just saying. I don't know Owl or Sis. Alvear, but I do remember a time several years ago when I was working 3 jobs and missing meals and my electricity and gas were turned off in the middle of winter, etc. I walked to the church in my neighborhood one night during this time to attend service and a missionary was there that night and railed at the congregation for not giving more, us rich lazy Americans. I am thankful that I live in a country where I was able to work myself up out of that situation. I realize that many people in third world countries don't have that opportunity. My point is though, the 'truths' you pointed out Mrs. B don't always apply to everyone, and when you're in a bad situation and struggling hard against cold and hunger, the broad brush used by people (usually people with good intentions) hurts.

From everything that I've seen of Sis. Alvear on here she appears to be a very kind lady who's doing a great work. I don't know Owl and don't know what their driving factor was for posting this thread, I just wanted to present another perspective.

[Owl]

Originally Posted by whoami

This is the case for most, not all though. Just saying. I don't know Owl or Sis. Alvear, but I do remember a time several years ago when I was working 3 jobs and missing meals and my electricity and gas were turned off in the middle of winter, etc. I walked to the church in my neighborhood one night during this time to attend service and a missionary was there that night and railed at the congregation for not giving more, us rich lazy Americans. I am thankful that I live in a country where I was able to work myself up out of that situation. I realize that many people in third world countries don't have that opportunity. My point is though, the 'truths' you pointed out Mrs. B don't always apply to everyone, and when you're in a bad situation and struggling hard against cold and hunger, the broad brush used by people (usually people with good intentions) hurts.

From everything that I've seen of Sis. Alvear on here she appears to be a very kind lady who's doing a great work. I don't know Owl and don't know what their driving factor was for posting this thread, I just wanted to present another perspective.

Thank you.

The insults are tough to swallow when you've already given everything you can give. I think it's wrong to assume that all Americans are greedy and stingy. Some of us have given everything we have.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Owl

Thank you.

The insults are tough to swallow when you've already given everything you can give. I think it's wrong to assume that all Americans are greedy and stingy. Some of us have given everything we have.

See, this is the problem. Yes, you are right - some have. However, when you take a WHOLE country that is poor and compare that to the small percentage you are speaking of, it pales in comparison.

When someone in the US suffers there are programs in place to help them "get through" the tough spots. So, we are still a spoiled and blessed nation.

Your anger is showing.

[Owl]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

See, this is the problem. Yes, you are right - some have. However, when you take a WHOLE country that is poor and compare that to the small percentage you are speaking of, it pales in comparison.

When someone in the US suffers there are programs in place to help them "get through" the tough spots. So, we are still a spoiled and blessed nation.

Your anger is showing.

Again, I have already said this isn't about the poor people of Brazil, because everyone agrees there is a real need there. It's about the whining of a missionary who is supported very well by lazy Americans.

Btw, small church pastors and home missionaries don't get any help through the tight spots. If they struggle, we speculate they must not have the favor of God. We get annoyed if American pastors ask for money like this. Especially if its a different need every week, and posted on Facebook.