MK forum

Where are the missionaries of yesteryear
Retired long from the field
Are they still watering their crops
And praising the healthy yield

As news filters to their garden
That all was not well in MK land
Do they still turn up for prayer meetings
And leave it in God's hand

Are they confused and dazed
Or beyond the point of care
Was it just a long long time ago
Somewhere over there

Do they mumble, "forgive forget"
"Let the offenders go"
"Look at all the good we did
Letting the natives know"

And as the scandal widens
Getting very close to home
Do they wonder why their own MKs
Rarely call, rarely phone

Or dare ask the unthinkable
As they garden the twilight years
Is it easier to pull the Rug of Righteousness
Than face the sum of all the fears

Where are the Missionaries of yesteryear
Who took their families to the field
Have they written them off in silence
Behind the silent shield

You've got it right, Bemused.

There is a retirement center in Sanford, Florida that is filled with a large group of aging missionaries who exemplify this sad poem.

Would that be the resthome where the hearing aids and bifocals get very little usage and collective amnesia breaks out regularly?

Meantime Downunder Resthomes are admitting retired Tribers who are listing their next of kin as "disappeared", "AWOL" and "disowned".

Meanwhile In a Resthome Downunder

Welcome to our Resthome
Please list your next of kin
Oh you have no children
No problems, move on in

So what was your occupation?
A missionary, well well well
Heard missionary's work hard
To rescue natives from hell

Hang on you've changed your mind
You do have kids somewhere
But they wandered off
And want you out of their hair

Oh so sorry to hear that
We have clients like that too
Give the kids all they want
Then get old and they forget you

So when did the kids leave?
What! when they were five
Oh you sent them to boarding school
While in the tribe you did strive

You say they always resented it
But you never asked why
And now when you write or ring
They just don't reply?

Collateral damage were they?
Sorry Mission or Military?
We've got some old soldiers here
Shell shock is very scary

That's right you did say mission
Well I'm sorry for your loss
Must be quite a price to pay
For serving the Big Boss

Now question two, religion
Oh this could take a while
We have priests, vicars, pastors
So you'll be here in style . . .

Another poem that tugs at my heart with its haunting, tragic sadness ....

It's a bit like an art exhibition in an art gallery. This piece is called "real life Downunder". It's a sad, almost depressive reality piece. Bits of it pertain to the situation the painter finds himself in. The setting is somewhat futuristic and a little tongue in cheek, but the colors used are an underlying dark tone.
What the painter hopes to evoke, is not sympathy for himself but an insight into the reality of far to many. It's not intended as a form of trivial entertainment but more a thought provoking portrayal of real consequences.
Thank you for taking the time to view the painting my good friend Raz, your genuine concern is most touching and appreciated.

Now it is time the painter put away his easel and paint pots for another day and turned out the light.

_________________
Written by Iwillflyagain!

My thoughts have been provoked, Bemused.
And it makes my head hurt.
But we must face this..........

Now this is the wonder of this splendid Art Gallery. When one's head hurts from viewing to many deep and meaningful "paintings", one can pop over to the "Exotic MKs and their Intersting ways" wing for a bit of comic relief, guaranteed to make one smile.

I think we all have days when we wonder if we are making any difference, but my humble feeling is that we are on several fronts. These posts are read far and wide, some find encouragement and healing, others find enlightenment about what is taking place or has taken place and then make decisions for their own lives.

So Gird Up Thy Lions once more and fit the good fight yet again .

Yep. My lions are fully girded!