It is interesting to see God's hand at work in an area where a few years ago it looked like a hopeless case that any good would come out of the war.
Sometime it is hard to live over here and really understand the struggles that the church goes through in many parts of the world.
God raising up gifted persons in Vietnam that our missionary groups are able to assist is exciting even if sometmes we see evidence of decline in our churches and society.
We read of God having people all through the world. I just think if someone does not travel to other countries it is harder to put a face on it.
Sometimes we pray for other churches that we have limited contact with.If we have a chance to visit the church and actually see the faces of the people and interact with them,it does aide in our praying for them.
We should be able to just pray for God's will for His Kingdom and it's growth without seeing every aspect of it.
When I have a chance to go into more urban area's during work it is helpful because you get to see, and have dealings with people from other countries.
The differences in the culturally setting and attitude of the people is instructive and helps bridge the gap between what I hear or read from missionaries.
I think another thing that happens sometime is that when a missionary gives a report of field activity,there is also a mixed feeling that it is good to hear of it, but it also raises some personal feelings of, Am I doing enough in regards to missions? Am I thinking of or praying about brethren who are serving the Lord day by day? Have I tried to speak a word of the gospel this week, or this very day?
Like every area of the christians life, self examination and an honest evaluation of our walk is in order. We do not need to put ourselves under guilt and condemnation, and a morbid introspection which does not usually result in much effective work taking place. A proper evaluation of how we are spending our time might be telling in this regard.

__________________
Anthony D'Arienzo
Sunday School Teacher
Hope Reformed Baptist Church:
Medford, N.Y.