Christianity Oasis Forum

[Guest]

Hello,

I recently found this website and am going to try the 14-day counseling steps. I don't know where else to turn and I feel as though I am at the end of my proverbial rope.

You see, my family and I (wife & children) served as mission workers in Haiti last summer. The mission group seemed like very nice people when we met them in their Michigan office. We didn't know a lot about them, but figured since they were "Mennonites" they should be good people...

Well, when we moved down to Haiti, the American staff there treated us very poorly. It all started when they were two hours late in picking us up from the Port-au-Prince airport. They acted very annoyed to have to be burdened with picking us up. Not one person said "welcome" or anything (except for the Haitians-they were very good to us).

After a few weeks of being ignored and excluded from everything that went on at the mission, we confronted the 24-year-old missions director as to why we were being treated this way. He stated very matter-of-factly that by us being here, we were taking food off of his table and that his family had to cut out desserts and eat more rice and beans!!!

We were so shocked that we didn't quite know what to say... We looked at each other and had a look of "did he just say that"??

Very shortly after that they began to falsely accuse us of some very bad things... They became critical of us and would call the mission office in Michigan and tell them that WE were the one's being critical...

We started to feel very unsafe being there as we have small children. We had no idea what they were going to do next or what else we would get blamed for.

We had to ask for food... The rest of the American staff ate good meals, but we were only allowed beans and rice, milk, and cereal. That was so humiliating to have to ask for every meal...

We finally asked to leave and they said that they would have to have a board meeting about it first!!! We were held against our will for 4 days. My Mom was just about to call the State Department to report us being held against our will.

When we were finally permitted to leave we flew back to Detroit to be picked up by the stateside mission director. He made sure to give us a bill for the airfare both ways! Talk about getting kicked while you are down!

That experience left us with a lot of wounds that go very deep. We now have trouble trusting people and we never did before.

I cannot for the life of me understand how someone can claim to be a missionary and yet treat us so unchrist-like? It makes no sense to me whatsoever.

I forgot to mention, that while we were in Haiti, a group of Bible students came down for two weeks. While they were there the mission director went completely out of his way to show them around and treat them like royalty. We didn't even get so much as a "welcome"...

Come to find out, the bible students pay a good fee to the mission to come down. This is a good source of income for the mission...

This really hurt us as we are very caring people. We have always helped out at church and opened our doors when folks needed a place to stay. We are not bad people, and we certainly did not deserve to be treated that way. No one does...

We are hoping and praying that God will open up another door so that we can be of service to Him... But in the mean time, we need some healing..

When we got back to the states I had to get the first job I could find and it is a very stressful job. I am so very thankful that I HAVE a job, but I am confident that this is not where God wants me to be on a long-term basis. I am not normally a nervous person, but my nerves can't handle much more...

So, I don't really know what to do or where to go from here... I do know that God wants what is best for me and my family. He will lead us and guide us if we listen carefully to Him... The hard part is waiting on Him...

This world is so full of critical and judgmental people (even in the church). We need more people who are caring and compassionate. Life is hard enough without someone kicking you when you are down.

I don't know what else to share... But, I do feel better about sharing...

PS: I do realise that "people are people" no matter what their denomination is. There are good (and bad) in every denomination. Unfortunately, we got connected with the bad one...

[momof3]

Hi whw..and welcome to Oasis. I am so glad the Lord led you here. The counceling steps will bring alot of healing to your spirit, my friend.

As i read your post, i was reminded of how the "religious" treated Jesus. And, we will be treated the same way...take heart and be comforted that you were persecuted the way you were and dont think for one minute God did not see this. He will use it though....in His way, for His glory and you will come out stronger in your faith, your calling, your understanding..all the fruits of the Spirit grown within you....just keep seeking His healing in this.

It is so unfortunate that Christians would treat other Christians this way. God will take care of them in His ways, my brother. He is just...It teaches us how NOT to treat one another...but this kind of treatment turns many away from Christ. His will be done with this mission.

take this journey one day at a time and walk in the faith that is yours...knowing that the Lord will work through this in you in preparation for where He will lead you next. His perfect will be done...

again, Im so glad the Lord led you here. You arent here by mistake...

and.......a huge WELCOME to you and your family, my friend.

in Jesus,
luv momo

[Tam]

Hi whw Welcome to Oasis so glad to have you here with us. I do believe that you are not here by accident.
Whw as I read your post it seems that I hear alot of anger and unforgivenss. I pray that you can find it in your heart to let this all go as you go on your healing Journey with Jesus.
The steps are awesome and they will work for you if you allow yourself to be honest and open in doing them.
I will be praying for you on your journey.
God Bless you as you travel forward.

[sandrad05]

I too would like to welcome you and your family here.
I believe that God has led you here to remind and show you that not all christian ministries or un godly and self servicing. I pray for you and your family as you take on these steps and renew your mind. And allow the healing to take place. I encourage you to look around and chat with us. you are here for a reason and God will show you.


God bless you
your sister in Jesus Christ
sandrad

[mlg]

Hello whw117, welcome to the Oasis. We are so glad you are here. I think of the book of Revelation, where Jesus sends out warnings to all the churches...but the one that comes to mind the most is love waxing cold and the fact that the church has left it's first love. This is what I feel is happening to many churches these days...including missionary organizations...they allow the enemy to sneak into their group...and then he begins to poison them slowly...you were not a victim of the church my friend...but a victim of the enemy.....my prayers will be with this mission group and you and your family as well.

You are on your way to healing...the counseling steps have healing in them as the Holy Spirit will lead you through them if you invite Him along. Just know that forgiveness and love can conquer all hurts...and Jesus loves you very much.

Hope to see you in the chatroom sometime.

Take care and God Bless

[Guest]

Thank you to all who have posted and for the words of hope and encouragement. These past days I have really felt your prayers and the moving of the Holy Spirit...

God bless & please keep praying *Pray*

[Dora]

Hi whw

I am so sorry you were treated this way. It breaks my heart.

Please know that not all people are that way. There are some that do seek the leading of the Holy Spirit far above seeking money.

I pray you can forgive them for this horrible ordeal they put you through.

Remember how they treated Jesus and his response was to ask the Father to forgive them. It is my prayer that your family can do the same.

You are in my prayers.
Hope to hear how the steps here are making a difference in your life.

4 U