The Straightline
Missionairies to Rebuild
by Eric Watt
World War II left Japan a devastated country. The impact of nuclear bombs labeled two of its industrial cities “missing,” and the rest of the nation lay in ruins. There was little infrastructure of any kind. Nearly every sector of society – transportation, education, healthcare, the economy, and even the culture as a whole – had been impacted.
After surveying the scene, US Army General Douglas MacArthur sent an urgent plea to the people of America. He asked for thousands of missionaries to come and rebuild this nation in ruins.
For the most part, no one responded. Well-intentioned people, already occupied with good and noble causes, found it difficult to interrupt their lives to change the physical and spiritual course of a nation. Today, Japan is an economic power, and the open invitation to shape the future of a nation has long since passed.
What will happen today? Afghanistan is a nation that lies in ruins. There is little if any infrastructure of any kind. The people of this proud land await thousands of workers who will join with them in rebuilding their nation. Who will go and demonstrate the love, wisdom and care of Jesus?
I, for one, do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past. In the back of my mind I can hear the echo of General MacArthur’s plea being made for the nation of Afghanistan. We are planning to open schools, healthcare clinics, micro-enterprise and trade opportunities. I am writing this StraightLine not to make a point but to ask a serious question. Are we willing to interrupt our lives to see the people of Afghanistan open their hearts to Jesus? We need to send a “spiritual army” of missionaries – thousands of people are needed to rebuild this nation.
I would challenge you this morning to ask the Creator what you should do to partner with others to help shape a nation’s future. God will respond to your question. You may be able to start a prayer network among your friends, sacrificially give toward various projects or give of your time and expertise.
A nation awaits…when you are ready to commit?
Central Asian Resources