Stott Thots
By Darrel Stott
Viet Nam and Missionaries
Now the most important thing I do with my life and ministry and mentor and train a new generation in what I have learned as a Prophet and Missionary. The lessons I have learned I try to pass on to them.
One of the truths I desire to impart is in this live how to honor the missionary and prophet in a proper way. There is great consequence in giving honor.
When I was a child I would listen to my father talk many times without understanding what he was saying. In my fathers younger years he could have been wiser with his money as he lived only from paycheck to pay check. He always said, “If we are generous and sow God will take care of us.”
As long as I can remember my father and mother would argue and fight every time a missionary came to our church. It did not matter what country the missionary was from my father felt called to that country.
But what brought the friction and arguing was my father never had a bank account in his early life. And every time a missionary came to our church my father would put all his money in the offering. My mother would always say “listen to me Bob…. we have four children and we need money to live please don’t put all you money in the offering again.” But my father would never listen to his wife.
So many times I would father would talk how sad he felt for the older missionaries when they came as they had no house or place to call home. They would be put into a cheap rest house and live their life as a pauper.
How could they be such hero’s to God and have no honor at home?
In Indonesia I have gone to remote Islands to find the old men and women and God. To get a prophecy or any gift but to give honor to them for the life they have lived. I would sit for hours not able to converse because our languages are different. I wanted my travel and inconvenience to show them my respect and honor for what they had done.
A few weeks ago I spent over $1000 to travel to find an old prophets wife to spend time with her. Most know nothing of her life and those close to her give her little honor or respect. As I spent three hours talking I quietly bowed my head and asked if she would consider blessing me before she went to be with the Lord. When she finished praying I wiped my tears away as she hugged me. To see her smile and thank me for coming was the highlight of my trip.
Little is know of most missionaries and how they have spent their lives. To their family and friends yes where they have served as missionaries honor may bestowed upon them But often times when coming home they are like a soldier from the Viet Nam war. There is little honor given them.
To the missionary they do not look for recognition or honor for most their reward is in heaven. But just as we have changed and try to give more recognition for the lives of those who serve our county so this new generation can change and make the missionary welcome and recognized at home.
