Page 37 - History of Arabian Mission 1926-1957

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III. OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN WORK Raaio evangelicra on a wide acale is one of the plana of the future :
for the Arabic-speaking world. }
"Fbr we are laborers together with God." 1 Corinthians 3:9

2. Mission Organization.
1. Audio-visual Aids.
For a number of years the Mission has been making a study of changes
The use of films and filmstrips has already been mentioned in connec­ in organization which will increase its efficiency. I
tion with evangelistic work. This valuable adjunct to all branches of mission
activity has assumed tremendous importance of late years, and the Mission has The policy of delegate meetings for two successive years, and a full
assigned Rev. Edwin Luidena to head a committee on audio-visual work. He meeting in the third year, is the pattern which has been followed for some i
gives a few striking pictures of existing use of visual aids. time. At the full meetings long range planning and matters of policy are
always stressed.
"Several days ago a missionary walked past the armed guard at the out­
side gate of the state prison carrying a case heavy enough to have contained An executive committee, made up of a member from each station, and i
several guns. It was a motion picture projector. He was admitted to the the secretary and treasurer, is functioning and meets whenever occasion
inner courtyard amidst a chorus of clinking keys and grinding gate-posts. The demands.
inmates of the prison had begun to spread their bed mats out on the wide court­
yard to escape the oven-like heat of the cells. The sun had already set be­ The Mission now has a hospital board of trustees for each medical :
hind the parapet on the west corner. As the full moon rose to silhouette the station. These are made up of missionaries not in medical work, English or
guard pacing back and forth on the wall, there began the first showing of American Christians, and at least one missionary from another station, also
motion pictures by a Christian missionary-in a state prison in the Arabian a national Christian.
Mission area."
A medical survey, by a committee from outside the Mission—several of
At Christmas they were to be shown The King Of Kings, and at Easter, them working in neighboring countries—is being made in 1957* They will con­
the story of Barabbas. There are many more excellent religious films available. sider the medical work of the Arabian Mission as a whole, and make recommenda­
tions as to future policy.
"If you were to be one of the visitors at a mission hospital on Tues­
day or Saturday evenings," continues Mr. Luidens," you would join with the Provident and pension funds have been set up for all mission employ­
patients and their visitors in a little program conducted by the doctor, the ees, ^ and are constantly being studied with a view to improving the system.
nurse, and the pharmacist, a young Arab Christian whose name means Slave of
Christ. The doctor reads a passage of Scripture; the nurse operates a pro­ The establishment of the office of Field Representative, and the
jector that shows slides about the Scripture reading; the Arab adds Ills word appointment of Dr. R. Park Johnson to act in this capacity for the Arabian
of witness in a way that everyone can understand. The patients greatly appre­ Mission end the United Mission in Iraq, has been an event of great signifi­
ciate this expression of the staff's personal interest in them and beyond the cance. He will act as liaison between the national church and Mission, and
call of duty. The doctor also finds that Scripture portions with a bright the Board for the Christian World Mission interpreting each to the other. He
colored picture of some Bible story on the cover greatly appeal to his co-ordinates strategy on the field, studies major problems and suggests solu­ !
patients as they consult with him. When a patient who can read picks up a tions, and counsels with mission personnel. Dr. Johnson had for some years -
copy of the Gospel of John or a little booklet entitled The Way of Salvation, served in this capacity for the Presbyterian Church of the U.S.A. and their }
the doctor presents it to him as a gift. Missions in the Near East, and had visited all our mission stations before
his official appointment to include our field in his responsibilities.
"In the waiting room of the hospital and in each of the wards and
offices are hanging various interchangeable signs printed in fancy Arabic, The officers of the Mission since 1926 have been:
which delights the eye of the Arab and tortures the eye of the American by
its intricacies." Secretary - Rev. Henry A. Bilkert, Rev. Dirk Dykstra, Rev. B. D.
Hakken, Rev. George Gosselink, Mrs. John Van Ess
Tape recordings, made by a national, are used in waiting rooms of
hospitals and dispensaries, so that a simple Gospel message reaches the ears Treasurer - Rev. James E. Moerdyk, Rev. Garrett De Jong,
of both early and late comers to see the doctor. Rev. E. M. Luidens, Rev. Harvey Staal
The tape recorder has also proved of great value In the language study
of new missionaries. Over and over they can listen to the day's lesson, 3. Co-operation with the United Mission in Iraq and
clearly pronounced by a national. A set of-lessons prepared by Mrs. Garr'- with the Near East Christian Council.
De Jong has been supplemented by tape recordings and has been extremely
successful. a. A committee on co-operation with the United Mission in Iraq lv'
been formed, consisting of two members from each mission. The problems

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