It's altogether unfair when you stop to think about it.  Which nobody does.  But that doesn't change the facts.  It's just not fair.  

Churches make all over their missionaries.  Their prayer letters are faithfully prayed over.  They are eagerly sought after to speak at various groups in the church when they are back to the States.  And on and on it goes.

But nobody, and I do mean nobody, ever stops to think about the fact that there never has been a missionary who is a Lone Ranger.  There is a whole host of people behind every single missionary who ever went to the field in the service of our Lord.  And those people are the unsung heroes of the ministry.  They are the ones who do all sorts of mundane things, well out of the limelight.  They make it possible for the missionary to stay on the field.  The list of tasks they faithfully and voluntarily do is long and varied.  If I were to try and list them, I would surly overlook many things.  Suffice it to say, those hidden ones are quietly laying up treasure in Heaven.  One day, when we get Home to Glory, the enormous impact they have had on spreading the Gospel around the world will become known.  When rewards are passed out, it will be amazing how many will be awarded to this hidden group of very valuable members of the Family of God.

All day long I've been focusing on one of those "hidden" ones who make our ministry run much smoother.  She deserves a gold medal for all that she does for us.  But nobody even knows her name.  And it's just not fair.  That is, until we look at things in light of eternity.   It's better to receive praise from God than from men.