Returning to Lystra

d again he artfully used his words to paint inoffensive pastel colors around the subject as the Rep looked at the list. The words were not insincere, they genuinely did not want to offend, they truly did appreciate the partnership with the Mission. This was hard for everybody.

The Rep studied the list. At the top were names of missionaries currently on Home Assignment that would, Lord willing, return the next year. Under that was the same list, minus two names, entitled "Those Invited to Return." The unspoken third category would have been "Those Not Invited to Return." Two names.

The "Convention" between the Mission and the national church stated that missionaries could only come to serve upon invitation. Rarely were missionaries NOT asked to return. This was one of those times.

The Rep looked at those two names. These were husbands and wives with children. One couple, the Walters, had served two terms. The Pinnocks has served one. Both, he knew, felt called of the Lord to serve in Congo