MK forum

Where are the locals
The Brown Gold of old
Those who of whom was said
Really they must be told

So many failed outposts
The work never complete
Fancy houses now empty
Occupants long beat a retreat

Promises of healthcare
Education and expertise
Delivered in exchange
For Natives on their knees

Back to their trusted gods
Who missionaries despised
Still scratching their heads
Wondering at the Supersized

And still wondering
What those MKs were all about
Who flew to be educated
And came back with serious doubt

So the decades pass on
The missionaries become another myth
Steeped in the tides of history
Jones, Brown or Smith

So true, Bemused.

I wonder how many times this scenario has been repeated, over the decades, around the world?

You know what I like about you Raz? It's that you let beautiful but heart wrenching words speak to you and then you do something about it. How many read the above and then just dismissed it as being irrelevant to their comfortable western lives? Yet supposedly we actually cared enough about "Brown Gold" to give our all and save their miserable souls.
I think for far to many it was just something that got them away from their mundane lives, a bit of an adventure that they got some nice perks from and when they had had enough of it, they just went home and forgot about the "Brown Gold". And then there were those who were running away from things and found that NTM and other missions provided just the hiding place they needed. Look at the date NTM was set up, 1942!!!!! While most young men were giving their lives in World War II, NTM was set up and what is the bet they attracted a fair share of draft dodgers. Then there was the Korean and Vietnam wars and from what I remember of some of the worst sadists at Numonohi, they would have been the right age to have got their draft papers, but of course they'd joined "God's army and instead of fighting for their country, they were beating innocent little kids and doing worse.
So no doubt Bemused will write another poem and if it makes us squirm because it makes us think about what on earth our parents were doing in the hell holes we grew up in, we'll just ignore it. And if we do that we should hang our heads in shame.

Love you, Aussie.

Yes, I hope my ears, eyes, heart and hands always stay open. Always.

Hugs ...

You have a good point Aussie about the draft dodging. Never thought of that.

I will always remember two different missionaries telling me on the field that they had to stay in the mission, because what would they possibly do if they came home?? They would have to get a job....They literally said that.

These were the same missionaries that came home to cush furloughs. My furloughs always entailed working which is fine. And actually that was good, because I do not have an unhealthy fear of secular work and look where I am now. Full time in secular work.

No perks, no great health plan, no exotic traveling, BUT a clear conscience.

Not only a clear conscience, but bet you don't have to worry that all the little lies you have told will catch you out and that you wasted other peoples hard earned money having a nice lifestyle. And bet you don't suffer from memory loss when people ask what you were doing and where you were either.

See nice honest people don't have it so rough after all.

Oh my. Dropping my dentures again. You are full of surprises, Dear Bemused!

Allow me to copy said verses here. You are so right. They are both extremely applicable.

2 Thessalonians 3:11: "We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies."

1 Timothy 5:13: "Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to."