BRAVE PIONEERS!                   DO 209            2/73


REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY IN CHOOSING A PIONEER FOR A NEW FIELD!
        
         1. WE HOPE THAT YOU HAVE PROVEN YOUR ABILITY AS A PIONEER, WITH THE VISION, FAITH, INITIATIVE & COURAGE THAT IT TAKES, by recently pioneering in other test areas under difficult & primitive conditions, which are certainly good preparation for pioneering in any new field! MOST OF ALL, YOU MUST HAVE PROVEN YOUR LOVE FOR THE LOST & CONCERN FOR THE SHEEP AS A GOOD SHEPHERD should--all of which are prime requisites for a true pioneer! YOU SHOULD HAVE ALSO SHOWN TALENT FOR TEACHING & OTHER LEADERSHIP TASKS, all of which are essential prerequisites for our consideration of a new missionary candidate for any new field.
         2. The true pioneer is only happy pioneering, & is never satisfied to stay on when he's got things established & running so someone else can take his place. As the leaders of a team pioneering, sort of SCOUT OUT THE LAND & LOCATE A BASE to start with. We hope you have an open door in which to land & friends to help you to begin with. From there, you can spy out the land & see what else the Lord may open up & the directions He leads. He sometimes uses almost anything or anyone or any place to help you get started & lead you on from there.

IMPORTANT TIPS ON PIONEERING!
        
         3. Don't let yourself get into too great bondage or obligation to anyone, so much that you're not free to work as the Lord leads, at least part of the time, & BE NOT UNEQUALLY YOKED TOGETHER WITH UNBELIEVERS IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU'RE REALLY BOUND & CANNOT OPERATE IN THE SPIRIT. For God's sake, follow God! If there's anything a pioneer needs, it's to be led of the Lord!--2Cor.6:14
         4. The initial trip could be considered exploratory, & you should therefore TRAVEL LIGHT WITH AS SMALL A TEAM AS NECESSARY, as you may want to see what the field needs first & return or send later for the men & materials you will need for a full-scale invasion. We always believe in LETTING THE LEADER CHOOSE HIS OWN TEAM, TIME & PLACE ACCORDING TO HIS OWN FAITH.
         5. It's advisable not to carry too much money or luggage with you!--And try to stick together! If you have a surplus, I would advise you to keep the bulk of your funds in your bank account and only take as much with you as you will need for each trip or for as long as you plan to stay. You can send back for more later if you need it or have it transferred later to your account wherever you are. There are often restrictions on how much you can take out of a country, so you may have to exchange your funds before leaving.
         6. Also, a copy of Fodor's Traveller's Guide or Frommer's or others might be very helpful in finding your way around. You can get them at many book stores. And by all means CARRY YOUR TRAVELLING FUNDS MOSTLY IN TRAVELLER'S CHEQUES, American Express or whichever you can take out of the country, not cash! Don't forget to PRAY OVER EVERY BITE YOU EAT & EVERY SWALLOW YOU DRINK & TRY TO AVOID ANY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.
         7. Always remember, the Lord's servant is worth more than his money: Don't be penny-wise & flesh-foolish! You are too valuable leadership to risk just to save a few pennies! TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH, GET PLENTY OF REST & EAT WELL, SO YOU'LL HAVE PLENTY OF STRENGTH for God's service.--And pray without ceasing!
         8. Follow God! He'll never leave you nor forsake you & He always knows best! Stay close to Him, &, if you do need help, holler!--But please try to USE THE MAILS & NOT THE PHONE unless it's a life & death EMERGENCY. Please keep in touch & REPORT REGULARLY.
         9. Make your own decisions on the field, as you'll know it better than we will, unless it's some major project which affects us or you'll need help on.

WHAT TO BRING ON A PIONEER TEAM!
        
         10. DON'T FORGET TO TAKE A SIMPLE CAMERA TO RECORD YOUR JOURNEY & THE INTERESTING THINGS THE LORD'S GOING TO DO, particularly the people you're going to meet. CLOSE-UPS OF FACES ARE ALWAYS BEST. Be sure you have a good little TAPE RECORDER too & the RIGHT KIND OF CLOTHING FOR THE CLIMATE & personal necessities that may be scarce there, such as certain TOILETRIES, CASSETTES, A SMALL TRANSISTOR RADIO for BBC news, which you can get in English all over the World, a small travel ALARM CLOCK for keeping appointments, a couple of POCKET FLASHLIGHTS & several spare BATTERIES for each of these etc.--And of course, your SLEEPING BAGS!--But please don't sleep in dangerous places. Housing is cheaper than your life, so please use it! BOIL YOUR DRINKING WATER IF NECESSARY & COOK EVERYTHING THOROUGHLY OR PRAY with lots of faith! Even a couple of UMBRELLAS could be useful! WATCH YOUR POCKETS & YOUR PASSPORTS! A small travel TYPEWRITER could be very useful for reports & correspondence.
         11. Hang on to your passport!--Sleep on it, if necessary! It's almost your most valuable possession, as you can't go ANYWHERE without it! IF LOST OR STOLEN, REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST EMBASSY of your country of which you are a citizen, & apply for a temporary one until they can get you a new one. Don't try to travel without it or you may be jailed or even deported!--NEVER OVERSTAY YOUR VISA. Always apply for an EXTENSION or leave the country & return with a new one. WLY! Have fun! GBAKY! Stay close to HIM!

Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family