I appreciate the reality that is emerging here. It is refreshing to hear others draw the same conclusion that I've reached. The missionary life is not the life of self denial and sacrifice for many that is so often written and talked about. It's actually a pretty good life, with little accountability and generous benefits.
In fact it can become so comfortable it is hard to leave. Not many of us in the West have housegirls to do our housework and local men to keep the outside of the place nice. And not many of us can decline to do work we don't want to, by telling the field committee God has called us to do something else and there is some other lesser missionary who can be made to do the undesirable jobs!!!!!!!!!!!
No it's a hard road and the easier road is just to keep on in the mission, having someone else pay for everything and having every request met by writing home about how hard it all is.
And I'm with Bemused, why does Raz want to go on a cruise to the Bahamas. There won't be any MKs on the ship, but there will probably be a few Tribers on furlough or sick leave, soaking up the sun and ministering to the needy!!!!!!!!!!