There’s a saying that nothing is for ever, and when you live in a remote setting that certainly holds very true. Many people come to work in remote communities only to leave again within a year or two. It’s not for everyone and there is no question that it takes a certain type to not only
live, but flourish in a community so foreign to your own culture. Isolation also takes its toll and it’s not uncommon for people to come for a relatively short period before leaving.
In many cases it’s not necessarily a problem, more a part of life in the area, but it does have an
effect when it comes to missionary work of any kind. These days there is a lot of shorter term
missionary work carried out and whilst it can be very beneficial, there is a work at a deeper level that can’t be rushed. In a cross-cultural situation it takes time to build a relationship and it takes time for the real deeper trust to be formed with the local people, especially when they have seen so many outsiders come and go. However once that relationship is established then there is a wonderful foundation to build something really worthwhile for the future. In order to do that it takes people with a more long term view of things, such as the family we are about to meet.
live, but flourish in a community so foreign to your own culture. Isolation also takes its toll and it’s not uncommon for people to come for a relatively short period before leaving.
In many cases it’s not necessarily a problem, more a part of life in the area, but it does have an
effect when it comes to missionary work of any kind. These days there is a lot of shorter term
missionary work carried out and whilst it can be very beneficial, there is a work at a deeper level that can’t be rushed. In a cross-cultural situation it takes time to build a relationship and it takes time for the real deeper trust to be formed with the local people, especially when they have seen so many outsiders come and go. However once that relationship is established then there is a wonderful foundation to build something really worthwhile for the future. In order to do that it takes people with a more long term view of things, such as the family we are about to meet.
To read the full article from MAF Arnhem Land Communications, click here.
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