Flawed Missionaries Used by God

One important part of our training [of missionaries] is poring over the biographies of missionaries of old and biblical characters that God has used to advance His purposes. In these accounts, it seems the Father is not shy about the flaws of His servants.
 
This week, as we were looking at the life of John G. Paton, it was amazing to realize that in 1865 he was aboard a British man-of-war that was pounding the island of Tanna with heavy cannons for the killing of missionaries. Such horrible lapses of judgment, as well as moral sin (Abraham), murder (David), callousness, and hyper-driven personalities are common failings of gospel workers throughout history. In some ways, our current age almost revels in finding flaws in folks who have endeavored to live lives for His honor’s sake but have made some disreputable choices.  Knocking down ‘heroes’ till there are none left is easy to do in the age of Google.
 
With all that being said, it’s wonderful to read Hebrews 11 and see these flawed men and women who God used: Noah (Genesis:9:6Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
See All...), Abraham (Genesis:12:11-13 [11] And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: [12] Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. [13] Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
See All...), Moses (Exodus:2:12And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.
See All...), Rahab (Joshua:2:1And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
See All...). Today it is no different. That the God of Heaven would allow these words, “the world was not worthy of them,” to be written about fallen men and women should give us all great hope.

—Brad Buser (Missionary to the Iteri tribe of Papua New Guinea, missionary trainer)