“Could not this whole mess be seen as the chance, symbiotic meshing of Christian martyr masochists and avenging Islamic sadists? These Korean women were led by the Lord to undertake such a showy, risky mission?
If I’m understanding things correctly, the Korean group was not too much different from some of the Mt. Everest tourists whose souls wafted up “Into Thin Air” in May, 1996, as documented by Jon Krakauer. Short-term Missionaries, or Christian adventure tourists- what would you call ‘em?”
You can see into their hearts and minds? Why demean and mock their motives? Risky? Yes, but putting feet to your beliefs is always risky. They apparently were willing to pay the ultimate price for their decision to go into a high risk area so what are you complaining about? It didn’t cost you anything. Showy? I don’t think so. Had this not gotten into the news you would never have known about it.
Many Christians cannot serve in full time foreign mission work, but are able and willing to give of their own time and money for a couple of months, 6 months, or a couple of years to assist and serve with local Christians in many different countries. Just because they are not career missionaries does not diminish their commitment or the value of their work.
It’s possible that they didn’t understand the full risk involved - but I doubt it. I thank God that most of them are home safe and sound. I hope and pray that the Muslim people in the area they were serving remember their willingness to put their lives on the line for what they believed - not to blow themselves up to kill those who disagree with them, but to share the love of Christ and to endure death and persecution at the hands of those they came to serve.
Rather than impune their mission and their motives why not rejoice that they are back home safe?
Amen, spoken like someone who has a heart for the lost of this dying world. <><
No, Nevadan, I cannot see into the travellers’ hearts and minds, but I have known quite a few Korean (protestant) Christians, both in Korea and over here, and I stand behind my words. These Korean missionaries, and especially the trip organizers and backers, remind me of the idiocy of the Children’s Crusades of 1212, who blithely led tens of thousands of little French and German boys and girls into abuse, exploitation, starvation, slavery, and death.
Nevadan, please also see: South Koreans turn anger at freed hostages
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1890454/posts
By JAE-SOON CHANG
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea’s relief at the release of 19 countrymen held hostage by the Taliban gave way Friday to anger at the victims themselves, members of a Christian church who are being criticized for ignoring warnings against travel to Afghanistan.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/War_Terror/2007/08/31/4461590-ap.html