What is a missionary? How do you become a missionary and what do they do? Those attending church service at the First Baptist Church of Cypress had these questions answered. Two missionaries from Bangladesh arrived on Friday and gave a presentation that included a slide show to church members on Sunday, September 19. A missionary is defined as a person called by God to cross cultural or linguistic barriers to spread the gospel. Missionaries work through sending organizations. Through Lottie Moon’s Christmas Offering Campaign, Southern Baptist Churches (including the First Baptist Church of Cypress) support thousands of missionaries around the world.

In 2013, two missionaries visited a town called Chittagong, which is a large port city on the southeast coast of Bangladesh. Chittagong is approximately 65 square miles and has a population of 51,000 people per square mile. Fast food franchises are slow in coming, but now there is a KFC and Pizza Hut in town. Bangladesh has around 86% Muslims, followed mainly by Hindus and a small portion of Christians.

One of the missionaries said the best way to get around town was to ride a motorcycle. Most of the time the streets are full of traffic, so motorcyclists ride the sidewalks, bypass traffic and sometimes even ignore stop signs.

Working at the Light of Hope Learning Center, the second missionary described the purpose and purpose of the center. This center provides showers, nutritious clothing and food, as well as vocational training for girls. Bangladeshi parents of 14-year-old girls usually marry them to a Hindu or Muslim man. The girls at the Center are trained in the operation of embroidery and sewing machines. Using colorful fabrics, the girls show off their creative talents by providing handmade items such as small tote bags, small purses, jewelry cases, pillow cases and coasters. These girls receive between 80 and 110 dollars per month to feed their immediate families. They also benefit from comprehensive medical and dental services. Families have found that the training girls receive at the Center helps a family survive. About 84 percent of the population lives on less than $ 2 a day.

Several church members purchased handmade items that were on display.