As Alpha and I are preparing to go back the Bangladesh, our organization sent us a link to "things missionaries would have liked to know before heading to the field". I wanted to share some of the list with you. I am by no means a veteran missionary. I have limited experience, but am passionate about sharing my small experience in order to help others avoid some mistakes I have made.
"I wish I had known how difficult missions really is." This one is so hard to explain, there are so many things that go into being in a different country, learning a new culture, language, transportation system, how the government works and how to go grocery shopping. It is hard to explain to people that have never been out of their country, but the daily things you do, that you don;t even think about in your home country, become daunting tasks that take all your energy and will power.
"I wish I had had more realistic expectations." It is not all "summer camp", things do not run smoothly, things go wrong, over and over and over again. Sharing Christ means having a relationship and relationships take time. Years, not days and not months, but years of work before you may see fruit, and in the end that "fruit" may only be a planted seed.
"I wish I had known more about myself and being patient." I am not a person that likes to sit and do nothing, but in reality starting a mission is a lot of waiting.... and waiting.... and some more waiting.... Learning the language takes time and can be lonely, but it is not forever. You will learn and you will be able to make friends. Having a plan, but being flexible is so important. Being able to just do life while you are waiting is important. Make friends is important. But trusting the Lord and knowing that His timing is perfect is the most important.
"I wish I had known that we would be nearly forgotten by those who had been closest to us." When I read this one my heart hurt, because unfortunately it is true. Living overseas means you lose deep friendships with people back home. It means you have to make extra effort to reach out and keep relationships going. Having relationships with people back home is not all about raising money and being fully supported. It is about having people you know will be here for you even when they are thousands of miles away. That is the reason we need supports, not for the money but for the support, love, prayers and friendships. When a missionary invites you to visit their country, they really mean it. They want your friendship and they want to share with you the worlds they live in. If you get the chance to love on a missionary it means everything to them.
"I wish I’d known how amazing it was going to be!"
Missionaries give up their entire lives, friends and family to serve the Lord. It is not easy, it breaks hearts, wears people down, culture shock, home sickness and depression are realities, but through all of that the rewards of serving the Lord with your entire being are unimaginable and indescribable. Because if you can make it through the language and culture learning you will discover the abundance of people thirsting for Jesus and sharing His love brings a joy that you cannot compare.
Thank you for praying with Alpha and I as we are facing these struggles, but knowing that the reward will be worth more then anything we can imagine.
I did not write about all the questions so you can read the entire article here: http://www.askamissionary.com/question/31
"I wish I had known how difficult missions really is." This one is so hard to explain, there are so many things that go into being in a different country, learning a new culture, language, transportation system, how the government works and how to go grocery shopping. It is hard to explain to people that have never been out of their country, but the daily things you do, that you don;t even think about in your home country, become daunting tasks that take all your energy and will power.
"I wish I had had more realistic expectations." It is not all "summer camp", things do not run smoothly, things go wrong, over and over and over again. Sharing Christ means having a relationship and relationships take time. Years, not days and not months, but years of work before you may see fruit, and in the end that "fruit" may only be a planted seed.
"I wish I had known more about myself and being patient." I am not a person that likes to sit and do nothing, but in reality starting a mission is a lot of waiting.... and waiting.... and some more waiting.... Learning the language takes time and can be lonely, but it is not forever. You will learn and you will be able to make friends. Having a plan, but being flexible is so important. Being able to just do life while you are waiting is important. Make friends is important. But trusting the Lord and knowing that His timing is perfect is the most important.
"I wish I had known that we would be nearly forgotten by those who had been closest to us." When I read this one my heart hurt, because unfortunately it is true. Living overseas means you lose deep friendships with people back home. It means you have to make extra effort to reach out and keep relationships going. Having relationships with people back home is not all about raising money and being fully supported. It is about having people you know will be here for you even when they are thousands of miles away. That is the reason we need supports, not for the money but for the support, love, prayers and friendships. When a missionary invites you to visit their country, they really mean it. They want your friendship and they want to share with you the worlds they live in. If you get the chance to love on a missionary it means everything to them.
"I wish I’d known how amazing it was going to be!"
Missionaries give up their entire lives, friends and family to serve the Lord. It is not easy, it breaks hearts, wears people down, culture shock, home sickness and depression are realities, but through all of that the rewards of serving the Lord with your entire being are unimaginable and indescribable. Because if you can make it through the language and culture learning you will discover the abundance of people thirsting for Jesus and sharing His love brings a joy that you cannot compare.
Thank you for praying with Alpha and I as we are facing these struggles, but knowing that the reward will be worth more then anything we can imagine.
I did not write about all the questions so you can read the entire article here: http://www.askamissionary.com/question/31
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