As I begin to think about coming home, I begin to reflect on the year and things I have learned. One of the most important things I’ve learned is soul care. Soul care is so important, especially when serving overseas because if you begin to feel unsupported and burnt out, you want to quit and return back to your homeland because it is easier and more comfortable. So, how as a church can we do better at supporting our missionaries?
I think the local church does an awesome job at supporting our leaders and volunteers in our home churches, but can often forget those who are serving the kingdom abroad. I myself am very guilty of this! I am writing this blog to help encourage and inspire ideas on how we can do better, not to bring shame to this topic.
Now, think back to the last time you prayed for a missionary sent out by your church. Maybe you saw their picture on an online newsletter or on a Missions bulletin board in the lobby. But imagine if the body of Christ actually committed to interceding for their missionaries! Not just on a rare occasion, but daily. Personally, I’ve experienced spiritual warfare on a new level overseas. From witch doctors to serving women who are trafficked, the darkness is thick abroad.
Imagine holidays! Much like our soldiers overseas, holidays can be super challenging! Being away from family, friends, and even missing the church Christmas Eve service can be really hard. Think of new ways where you could make holidays special for your sent out missionaries. Maybe sending bible verses, pictures, and cards in a care package? Or if money is tight, a simple email! You could even film a video sending love and email it their way. Holidays are special and I guarantee your missionary misses you extra during those seasons.
Hearing that you are supported by your church back home is so important. I know I’ve personally craved hearing from my community because it is easy to feel forgotten. It is easy to get in a mindset that because your presence is gone, you are forgotten and not fought for. My hope as I come home is to rally people in the church to go to battle for our missionaries so this doesn’t happen! We do such a good job praying and supporting those in the congregation, and I know we could do a better job at loving and supporting our friends who are fighting for the kingdom abroad.
Lastly, reintegration. Imagine being sent out and not getting a single email or word of encouragement from your church family. Going back to your home church wouldn’t feel much like home. I know I LOVE when I get a short hello from people I sit with on Sundays. Let’s make sure we remember to keep those friendships alive even overseas because when reintegrating back into church community, it can bring anxiety. If you forgot to water a plant for a year and then expect it to be healthy and green, you’ll be very disappointed! That’s the same thing with relationships. Coming back to a place that hasn’t been home for a year is scary! People have changed and so have you. But, if you’ve been continuing to fight for these friendships despite the distance, the transition will be much easier because the friendship won’t be thirsty for life!
Please have lots of grace for your missionaries as they come home. They have seen and heard things you might not ever experience in a lifetime. Your missionary might need to process with you, or they might not want to touch that sore area just yet. We need grace. The last thing we want is you asking, “How was it being overseas?” and then checking out 30 seconds in as you scroll through your newsfeed. If listening is hard for you, or you don’t have the time, tell us! Trust me when I say that it is okay to not want to listen about this year. We are practicing our Sparknotes version as we speak and would be more than happy to give you the sweet packaged version. But, the hardest thing is someone not asking at all, because that can communicate you don’t care.
I hope you feel inspired and encouraged to love your missionaries well. I am so thankful for the friends and family this year who took time to write me cards to open each month, who FaceTimed on holidays, and who would remind me every night their family prayed for me. Missionaries need to be reminded that they are loved and not forgotten just because they are absent in presence. My prayer is that your family and you can lift us racers up as multiple squads (over 200 young adults) with Adventures in Missions return back to the states in 2 weeks. Anxiety is high just as spiritual attacks are, but we have our armor on and are ready to keep fighting. Will you join us in battle?
