Over the course of a missionary’s career there are monumental moments that can serve either to drive them forward or to stop them dead in their tracks. I have had the privilege to sit in the homes of missionary families around the world listening to riveting stories of God’s provision and perfect timing. I hear the countless stories of salvations and miracles that drive those active in full time missions to continue the work to which they have been commissioned. Those conversations always serve to embolden the faith of both the teller and the hearer simultaneously. Long term missionaries are without a doubt some of the bravest people I know. They are relentless! Little seems to hinder a person who possesses both a sure calling and a firm directive (such as Matthew 28:19) from long term success.
One of the more powerful things I’ve observed, which strikes at these same people’s ability to function and minister for the long haul, is the subtle feeling of being forgotten. It comes up time and again as I visit with missionaries around the globe. There is often a deep sense of loneliness and seclusion that accompanies living and serving in a foreign culture. It is a rare sort of loneliness, that very few people will ever truly understand. It’s the kind in which you are surrounded by people and purpose, yet you still never fully belong where you are placed. It breaks my heart to hear those who have been sent with the highest authority doubt their calling and purpose. We must not doubt in moments of darkness that which we were called to in the light. As much as we are able, we (the church) need to become more intentional to equip those called to full time missions for success in all their labors before they depart the field burnt out and exhausted.
Missionary abandonment is never intentional, but it is incredibly dangerous. The reality is that no matter how deeply a person integrates into a new culture and develops relationships, there is still a longing for a continued connection with home. I’ve heard this one thing a hundred times: “When we left for the field, we would get our monthly support check and an email of encouragement that let us know they still knew we were here. Six months passed, and the checks kept coming, but if there was a note, it was far less frequent. 36 months passed, and we haven’t heard from anybody at our church all year. If I had to make a choice between the support check and knowing they remember I’m out here… I would choose the latter.”
What seems to happen is nothing more than a simple “out of sight – out of mind” scenario. The missionary pushes forward in their task, while people at home carry on with normal life. Staff changes occur at their home church and pastoral relationships slowly dissipate. Friends have kids. Jobs change. People move. Life happens. Everything moves… but the person on the field, they remember home exactly as they left it. Suddenly one day they sit down and realize – they are the slowly forgotten piece that doesn’t really have a spot back at home anymore. It’s a natural progression that I assure you will eat your missionaries up without anybody ever even realizing it.
I’m pretty convinced the answer is simple.
Stay in contact.
A twenty word email to tell the person you sent or support goes farther than you will ever imagine. Set a reminders in your calendar throughout the year to send them an email, a package, or a phone call. You will be helping to ensure longevity in their ministry.
Remain involved.
Be engaged in the work they are doing. Give to it. Help with it. Raise awareness of it.
GO see them.
Take your support to the next level by sending a small delegation from your church to the far side of the world, even if for no other purpose than to take your missionaries to dinner and watch their kids for a night so they can go on a date.
The cost may be high — but the return on your investment will be eternal. Don’t abandon your missionaries. They need you alongside them as they go into the world.
Mike
One assumption made in this article is that all missionaries are “foreign” missionaries. That is a common mistake. My wife and I served as commissioned missionaries of the North American Mission Board (NAMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention. On June 15, 2010, the convention voted that NAMB would only fund church planting missionaries in metropolitan areas. My state (NM) was not even on their radar. When I told my supervisors that my geographic area did not need new churches, but that we needed to strengthen the ones we already had, I was told by text the next day to “have an exit strategy in place by July 31.” So yes, my wife and I felt very abandoned by the SBC and as thought they had pulled the carpet out from under us.
Gerri
Thank you for sharing this–there were definitely times when we felt abandoned while serving overseas. I honestly don’t believe we received all the necessary cross-cultural training for acclimation to a foreign culture. At the beginning of our mission work, many of our supporters did write and communicate and a few did visit us. Yet, over time. those phone calls, letters and visits definitely slowed–almost to a halt. Our children suffered major losses as many of their friends back home stopped communicating. Other issues were due to the cultural challenges of housing, language, shopping, relationships and recreational changes.
Of course, I can’t ignore all the spiritual blessings of our mission work. We experienced God working in supplying for things that we couldn’t possibly provide. Our children saw Him answer prayers, and bring people together for His glory. It was definitely worth it all..
After we left the field, it was difficult..but we learned quickly that God was still our provider. He helped us spiritually and provided a home for us..but it was hard. We still missed our people back on the mission field. Now, we are looking ahead to what the Lord has in store for us.
I would definitely recommend that churches communicate more regularly with their missionaries…plan phone calls or more importantly, visits on the field–these are a Huge blessing!! Send care packages and let them know that prayers are flowing.
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Bless the Lord