Letters to the Editors

Vol. 2, No. 2, Spring 1994, Covering the Former Soviet Union and East Central Europe

Letters to the Editors

Cream of the Crop?
Having spent two years in Central Europe as a missionary, I have firsthand experience of the burdens we missionaries are to our brothers and sisters in the East. My wife and I often wondered if in fact we were hindering or helping the process of "making disciples" in that country. Quite honestly, I do ask myself the difficult questions and come up empty-handed. Would they be better off if we supported them from afar? Or, I wonder if those who have majored in college in Russian studies, for example, and have been learning the language for several years should be the ones to go and the rest of us support them?

I'm tired of the constant barrage of well-deserved criticism we Westerners receive from the cross-cultural experts. If in fact the problem is so extensive (as I believe it is), then why not take some action to lessen these embarrassing episodes of cultural insensitivity by sending out the cream of the crop while continuing to strengthen others at home who seem less adequately prepared to quickly assimilate?

Thanks for keeping us adequately informed of the ever-changing cultural-religious climate in Central Europe and the CIS. Keep up the good work!

Bill Sturdivant
Hertfordshire, England

No Laughing Matter
I especially liked the article: "A Moratorium on Russian Jokes?" -- we have a rule on our team NOT to make such jokes or remarks, especially in the presence of Russians. It's good to see the word is getting around.

Thanks for your good work!

Bob Hosken
Deputy Director
Russian-American Christian Professional Institute
Izhevsk, Russia

Letters to the Editors, East-West Church & Ministry Report, 2 (Spring 1994), 15.

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