Mali: A Contrast to America - Starting a Foreign Mission

One major problem that took a long time to overcome was to realize that pioneering in America and starting a foreign mission would not be the same thing. In actuality, they are quite different, but because we foreign missionaries went through the same training course as the American pioneers, we had the idea it would be a similar experience.

There are several basic differences. First of all, the people of Africa or, I imagine, all underdeveloped countries, are quite different from Americans. You simply can’t blitz someone with the Principle and expect him to get immediately red-hot to sacrifice for God’s purpose. Because their education is inferior or non-existent, and their way of thinking and attitudes are shaped by a rather immoral, materialistic society (much worse than the problems which exist in America), for a person to change is something really great.

It’s so difficult for them to change. They are much like children. On our pan, we need patience, a caring heart, and parental love. You can’t talk about the truth so much because they can’t grasp it. It will take many years for the people to make internal changes. It’s nothing like America where people can change radically after a few weeks or months.