Why the title "Crushed Myrrh"?

Back in the mid-70s, my dad published a book called "What's In A Name?" He had done a couple years research on the meanings of people's names and how they could derive a character quality from that meaning. In his research he learned that "Mary" means "bitter." The origin of the name Mary comes from a bitter resin from the sap of a myrrh tree. When that resin is dried and then crushed, it gives off a sweet aroma.  It was a costly and rare spice that was used in healing, beauty treatments and embalming.  It has an extremely bitter taste, but it has a sweet scent that is released when it is pierced or wounded. When extracted, it forms of a yellow fluid that collects and hardens in small lumps known as tears. Then they must be crushed into powder for the fragrance to be released. The sweetest myrrh comes from the resin that comes out naturally. 

Myrrh is referred to a few times in the Bible and it is interesting how it was used. It was given to Jesus as a gift along with gold and frankincense by the Wisemen at the time of His birth. One source I read said that it may have the drug effect like Valium which may be why Jesus rejected it when it was mixed with vinegar and offered to him while he was on the cross. Myrrh was wrapped on Jesus’ body at his death. Names from the Bible that get their meaning from Myrrh are Miriam, the sister of Moses, Marah, the bitter waters that the Children of Israel complained about in the wilderness. Naomi said to call her Mara because she was bitter over losing her two sons and husband. And Mary has its roots in this word. Myrrh is mentioned often in the Song of Solomon as a symbol of love. It was used in Esther’s beauty treatment. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in exchange for myrrh. It was one of the ingredients in the Anointing Oil that was put on the priests in Exodus 30:22-29. They had to be worthy to wear this oil.

In the same way that the gum from the myrrh plant can be released naturally or by piercing, Jesus offered up himself as a sacrifice and he was pierced. Myrrh reminds us of the outpouring of Christ’s love in a bitter but fragrant death.

My middle name is Ann which means “full of grace.” Myrrh reminds me of my need to have any bitterness in my life crushed, by God’s grace, dying to self and my rights. Only then will the sweet aroma of Christ come out of my life.

Integral Missionary Development

Last May our mission leaders met in the UK for what they call International Council meetings. During that time Jeff turned over his position of Associate International Director to another man named Daren Beck. Jeff took on Daren’s role of Asia Regional Coordinator. We will be writing more about this new role in our upcoming newsletter. I was appointed as the International Integral Missionary Training Coordinator. It is in regards to this role that I am writing. Jeff on my task force since we will be developing a training program in the Philippines—primarily for ACTION missionaries but it can be expanded to others as we are able. It will include both classroom (with ourselves and other leaders) and on the street aspects to the training.

We are concerned about unnecessary missionary attrition that happens during the first term of service. It is our desire as a task force to investigate ways of better preparing missionaries to avoid pre-mature departure from field service. We will be investigating how we can do a better job of selecting potential missionaries and then guiding them to the point where they are ready to serve and be effective in their first term of service. Missionary preparation encompasses four aspects (at least) which our task force will be working on. Although I list them in a linear sequence, each aspect overlaps. 

1. The individual or couple, their calling into foreign missionary service and their own preparation, schooling and personal development

2. The churches' guidance, mentoring and ministry training opportunities

3. The application process and orientation with their mission agency

4. The training provided by their mission agency which is specialized to that organization

Jeff and I will be primarily focused on the 4th aspect for missionaries who are joining our organization but we want to investigate the first two aspects. When someone is called of the Lord to become a missionary, what steps can they take to begin preparing themselves for foreign service? What disciplines, training or character qualities need to be developed? Then, what role does the church have in helping that individual or family to be prepared for missionary service? How can they provide a venue for ministry within the church prior to being deployed to the field? 

Where is home?

Someone asked me a few months ago if it is good to be "home." Then she said probably by now the Philippines is my "home." I told her I have no sense of home. No matter where I am, I am away from someone I miss. I feel things very deeply in my life. I'm not able to turn off the pain of always having to say goodbye to someone I love. I have somewhat learned to say goodbye, but it is not easy. We spent two weeks with Amos and Micah and their families. I usually can leave without crying, but not this time. I wept when I said goodbye and I wept on the airplane. This article ministered to me today. I accept the paradox because I know that when I am in Heaven, I will be home and there will be no more "goodbye" for those who have put their trust in Jesus Christ.