MK forum

Oh, that theory has a lot of merit, Bemused.

In most cases, candidates were not forced to go to any particular field. We chose our future field of service as we progressed through the training.

Missionaries on furlough were encouraged to visit training centers, and we students could attend meetings, hear presentations, meet the missionaries in person, and even have them in our homes for meals.

So yes, trainees had opportunity to get a feel for the "personality" of particular fields. I know that I formed definite impressions, based on people I met (including MKs from that field), things that were said, written in mission publications, and prayer requests in Hold the Ropes. There were fields I said I would never go to, and this was all based on impressions I had of what the missionaries on the field were like.

One of the fields I said I would never go to?

Papua New Guinea.

To often people use God as the reason for doing something telling others God told them to do it. Abuser use God to subdue their victims. Telling children horrid things like "God wants you to do what I ask."

Growing up on the mission field it was obvious to me as a child that it was not God who "called" some people to the mission field. Yes I think most missionaries went to the field because they like a certain person who was their. My parents were pulled by the fact a missionary presented that Africa was a dark continent without the light of the Gospel. My Dad turned out to be one of the best loved missionaries by the nationals. On their own they honored him years after they left the field in their 50th anniversary of the church. If you believe in God you must also believe that He will use you where ever you are. If you use God as an excuse you can do all the evil you want, because you use everyone.

I know that is a very valid thing to point out, Yunker.

I personally have been a little tougher to "nudge", even back in those days! A famous Bible School teacher told my parents I was "quite the young heifer" ... I think my Mom was secretly a little proud of me for that!

But yes, many candidates got all the fight knocked out of them, and looked to the leadership for direction in pretty much every aspect of their lives.

Excellent point. In the fog of so much guilt and emotional manipulation, it would be easy to mistake the proddings of others as some sort of Devine calling. Having the fight knocked out of one, led to an open mind that could be filled with who knows what, seen that one at very close quarters.

What I find bizzare and strangely creepy is the pious who expoilt anothers personal tragedy to get into their heads and start manipulating. I've had it happen to me when tragedy has struck and those you think you can go to with your burden, see it as an opportunity to convert you to their narrow way of thinking, because you are at a weak, vulnerable and needy point in life.
What is even more bizzare and morrally wrong is those who engineer the crisis in the first place, so they can then "rescue" you on their terms. Numonohi was a prime site for that carry on.

As caring humans we have a moral duty to listen to and help those we are close to in their hour of need. To exploit that hour of need for ones own purposes, is moral bankruptcy.

Mooo....