reverse missionary

reverse missionary

it took me five years of 
living in a southeast Asian 

country to realize how white 
and western we’ve made god

I used to tell people they were
sinners and needed Jesus 

now I tell Jesus-followers 
they’re sinning against people 

and need to make reparations 
I want Black and Indigenous 

people to reclaim what white 
christians stole—their land, 

labor, bodies, rituals, dances 
the list is forever long

we have to give it back 
give it back give it back

---

*

Hi, I'm Marla, a former missionary who doesn't believe in missionaries anymore. This is a poem from my new book, jaded (one of several expressing my evolving views of missions). 

Anybody else feel differently about missions/missionaries than you once did?

p.s. On a different note, if you're someone who loves to write and would like some encouragement and accountability on your writing journey, I'd love for you to join our Writing Wholefarted Community. Today I'm answering some questions about social media, platform, and marketing. Should be fun!