A Letter from a Missionary: Introduction & Clarification

This letter was originally written in 1994. The names of the missionaries, as well as any information regarding their place of service has been withheld, due to the "sensitive" location in which they serve.

Some parts of the letter have been slightly revised for the sake of clarity - with the approval of those who originally wrote it. The thoughts and intents of the authors remain unchanged.

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Please note that the issue is balance and priorities. For instance, the author makes mention of:

...the commitments of men who are involved in a growing movement in America. These commitments are to pray, study God's word, love their families - and then keep their promises.

This, I believe, is a reference to an organization called "Promise Keepers." Now it's not that the author is "against" Promise Keepers - there are a lot of men (and women) who ought to learn to keep their promises, and the author would strongly agree with that. The issue is when commitment to family takes precedence over commitment to God. Sometimes the two do conflict. I have personally seen many instances in which people have used "family" as an excuse to avoid an obedience to God that they considered "uncomfortable."

So as you read this letter, interpret it based on this consideration.

• If you have difficulty with the issue of "balance," perhaps you might find this article helpful: The "Boundaries" of Truth.
   
• As far as conflicts between "family" and "God" are concerned, other articles in the "Values Conflicts" section of this website may be helpful.

- Dennis Hinks

• To the Letter

Dennis Hinks © 2004
Scripture quotations in the letter are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
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