missions

Missions seems to be a really hot topic. First I heard Patrick Johnstone talk on Operation World at ARPC last week. And this week, my own church is also having a series for Missions Month. But it has really gotten me thinking because I'm pretty interested in missions work, but my current work schedule certainly won't permit anything.

Some of the key points I took away were that
1) 1/3 of the world is Christian, 1/3 of the world lives among Christians, and the last 1/3 are the so-called "unreached peoples" that have never heard of Christianity
2) 9% of the unreached people speak English, but 94% of missionaries speak English
3) 97% of the unreached people live in the 10-40 window, which encompasses most of East Asia.

And as I contemplated how I might possibly get involved in missions, I thought one very attractive option was to take up full time language study in one of these countries, and use the time to serve in the mission field there. And here are the reasons:
1) That is the best way to learn a new language so I don't add on to the existing 94%
2) Can learn and practise at the same time
3) Living expenses in places like Vietnam, Cambodia or China are dirt cheap
4) The food is dirt cheap and oh so good
5) If it works out well, can either go into full time missions there or try tentmaking
6) If it doesn't work so well, it's always useful to have learned the language of these up-and-coming Asian economies for other employment opportunities

Ok I guess this isn't really the attitude of a missionary zealot, but I thought it was a pretty practical approach. I have half a mind to take a gap year/sabbatical and try this out. Not just yet, but maybe soon.