Living faithful, fruitful and fulfilled on the mission field
“We’ve tried but no one responds,” they said to me. I saw his sad face and heard the disappointment in his voice. My heart went out to him. His ministry was important. It was worth investing in. Unfortunately, there were several key things necessary in …
“I want to get married,” she said. Her eyes were sad. In her culture, unless she was a wife and mother, she was a non-person. Many women in Asia don’t even use their names. They are “John’s mother” or “Raju’s mother.” Their own name has …
For years we served in missions before anyone from my husband’s family visited us. We longed for them to come to Nepal and India. Finally, they did. How fun it was to have them meet those we’d discipled and invested in! It’s a joy to make introductions right? Every once in a while I come across a book I want to share with others. In this week’s blog, I’d like to introduce you to a great resource I’m using.
Jeannie Marie, the author of this book, has become a good friend. We are “kindred spirits” as Anne in the popular Netflix series Anne with an E, would say! Much of our background and ministry philosophy is the same.
Let me tell you about her book, Across the Street and Around the World. You are going to want to get a copy!
This book helps readers learn how to reach out to people of other cultures. These lessons are applicable both in your home country and abroad. It is full of great stories of her own interactions with refugees, immigrants, and those from other cultures in the USA. To put it simply, it’s an enjoyable, engaging, and informative read.
She starts in the same place I would – with God’s heart for the nations. Until we understand and allow His heart to become our own, our efforts will fall flat. The rest of Part One moves into specific skills. You’ll find helpful tips on how to be intentional in building cross-cultural friendships with those who don’t yet know Christ.
Until we understand and allow His heart to become our own, our efforts will fall flat.
Part Two takes the reader a further step.
Have you ever heard of MQ? Missionary intelligence, Jeannie calls it.
Anyone preparing for a short-term mission trip will find this section especially helpful. The book describes three types of mission trips. Jeannie writes, “short trips fall into three main categories—vision trips, professional trips, and survey trips.” Knowing that they have different goals and expectations can reduce confusion. You will “spend money more wisely, and increase effectiveness.” We all want that right?
You’ll also read encouraging stories of short-term trips that made a significant positive impact. Not every short-term trip bears lasting fruit on the field. It’s possible though. Across the Street and Around the World helps you discover how.
Lastly, the book explores the idea of a missions calling. How do you know if you are called? What will you need to do to prepare?
In a wonderfully winsome way, Jeannie-Marie equips her readers to fulfill Christ’s command to reach all nations. Each chapter is followed by discussion questions for the individual or group.
I’ve chosen this book to go through with a group from my home church. I’m excited about not only re-reading it myself but working through it with a community of people, applying its lessons in practical ways. I know it will be a lot of fun, while also stretching everyone a bit too.
If you haven’t yet picked up a copy, why not at least read the first chapter and see what you think! It’s offered free here.
It’s rare I plug a resource quite this strongly on my blog but this book is a rare find. If you buy a copy or have already read it, leave me a message in the comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook page. I’d love to know what you thought of it. I’d especially enjoy knowing what resulted in your life as you put its message into practice.
Was this the writing on the wall? God’s final no? Were we too stubborn and deaf to hear what He was saying? I tried to steady myself as I reread the email in my inbox. “Your application for a residence permit has been denied. You …
Finances are often tight for missionaries. With COVID-19 taking its toll on the global economy, it is likely our financial challenges will grow. The struggle is often more acute for national missionaries, those working in their own countries. There can be a struggle to keep …
The 7s of Member Care is a tool designed to assist groups to understand how to do member care during this difficult time. Due to the rapid changes within the pandemic of COVID-19, here are suggestions that may be of help to you and your location. Thank you to YWAM’s Member Care Network for allowing me to publish this.
• Continue to press in spending time with God in the quiet/secret place, reading God’s Word, worship and intercession.
• Seek God in this time: What is He saying? How is He leading? How can you pray?
Continue to look after yourself; physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, socially.
• Physically: If you are able, go for walks, do exercise, eat well, sleep.
• Emotionally & mentality: find hobbies, keep yourself accountable, find ways to challenge yourself.
• Socially: though it may be impossible to see people in person, stay connected with people, though Skype, and connections through the internet.
Adapted from Elisabeth Pesonen, Seven S’s for COVID19, YWAM Finland, 2020.
One of the new believers I’ve been discipling was confused. “I heard that Christians in South Korea are not afraid of the coronavirus. But they are not being wise, safe, or taking precautions. They are endangering others. My relatives who heard this are questioning whether …
Indigenous missionaries and national colleagues seem to believe God for miracles easily. I’ve watched them cast out demons and heal the sick. It doesn’t seem as difficult for them to believe God for these things, as for some of my Western missionary friends. When it …
I sat in the meeting, listening carefully. We had gathered to discuss growing persecution in certain countries around the world. A knowledgeable leader described two tactics governments are using to hinder Christian workers. One is the smash attack. These are overt and violent. The other type is as ominous. It is a slow squeeze. In hundreds of little ways, governments make it difficult for Christians to function in normal daily life.
Pondering this, I prayed for the many suffering increasing persecution around the world. Then, it struck me. Smash and squeeze are the same tactics Satan uses on missionaries too.
Smash attacks shock and scare us. Squeeze attacks exhaust us. We must be aware of Satan’s schemes.
Don’t allow them to cause panic, fear, or exhaustion. As we recognize these things for what they are, God will give us victory over every evil force.
Sickness has always been part of the enemy’s squeeze attacks in my life. In the places where I have lived around the world, it wasn’t easy to stay healthy.
Even when you are careful about what you eat, exercise regularly, and work at staying healthy, viruses and diseases are common. Do you live and work with local people, ride local transport and eat local food? We must if we want to adapt and identify with those we are reaching. The reality is that you will likely get sick. This can be hard, especially when it happens again and again.
I remember a trip to the West of Nepal with my daughter Steffi. She was seven or eight years old. We had gone to visit the village home of a young woman who lived with us. The bus trip was long, but we managed okay. If my memory is correct, it was about thirteen or fourteen hours.
We arrived in the village tired, but we were excited to be there. My little girl and I climbed the wooden stairs to the small room we would sleep in. Below us were the goats and other animals.
Steffi had a lot of fun playing with the baby goats, running around in the village, and being a kid. It was fun….until she got sick. Giardia kicked in and she was both vomiting and running for the toilet every hour or so. I was concerned as a mom. We were far away from quality medical care.
The next day, we boarded our bus for the long journey home. It was not a fun trip. I’d brought some changes of clothing, but they were not enough for my sick little girl. We reached home with soiled clothes. My precious daughter was dehydrated and weak. I was scared and emotionally exhausted.
What am I doing as a mom, living in a country like this? I wondered. My husband was concerned as well.
Thankfully, we were able to get her on oral rehydration medicine and an antibiotic. In a few days, she was fine.
I wasn’t sure I was fine though. I knew that to disciple people in this country, we needed to live close to the local people. I wanted to do that. I loved doing that! But I was tired of the constant sicknesses we faced. It was especially hard to watch our kids suffer.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Eph. 6:12 NIV.
Simply realizing that what we are going through is more than physical goes a long way. Sickness is one of many types of squeeze attacks. Another example might be a relationship that becomes unusually tense and troubled. This seems to repeatedly surface, just as you are pioneering a new training program. Sound familiar?
Remember, our battle is not against flesh and blood. Stop fighting people and take authority over the principalities and powers that are smashing or squeezing you.
Never be afraid or ashamed to reach out for prayer when you recognize the enemy is trying to discourage you. Be open and vulnerable with your prayer partners. Let them carry you at this time. There is no advantage to trying to handle it on your own. We need the body of Christ to stand with us.
When you feel worn down by life on the mission field, take time to worship. Both individual and corporate worship are important to lift our spirits and re-center us on the greatness of God. Intentionally practice thankfulness. Fight the temptation to give into complaining or self-pity.
I’m not saying your circumstances are not hard. They are. You don’t have to pretend it’s not difficult. In spite of that, and with full knowledge that it’s a struggle, lift your voice to God in praise. It sends the enemy running.
There are times to fight and times to rest. God will help you discern these. When you sense you are in a battle, rise up and contend against the enemy. Don’t give in to Satan’s purposes and lies. As you step forward in faith to take your stand, God will fight for you.
We are far more vulnerable to the enemy’s attack when we are lonely and isolated. It gives Satan a significant advantage over us.
Be intentional about reaching out to people around you for support and community. Even if you don’t understand the language well, or don’t have a lot in common, press in to have relationships and community with other believers.
Take advantage of the many online communities and ways to connect via social media with other believers as well. My church’s women’s group has a Facebook page. It’s a good place to post prayer requests. Don’t let yourself begin to feel like you are completely alone in your battle. Reach out to others and let them minister love and encouragement to you.
Often, I have been surprised that those who I am leading are very happy to stand with me. Leadership can be an isolating force in our lives if we let it. Be real, be vulnerable and let your new disciples and staff uphold you when you need their prayer.
When you next face a spiritual attack, recognize it and take action. Don’t let Satan get the upper hand. Whether it is a smash or squeeze tactic, stand firm. God will give you victory.
In what ways do you notice spiritual warfare and attack coming against you? I’d love to hear your stories or questions on this topic in the comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook Group.
God is able to heal. I am certain of that! I’ve experienced miraculous healing in my own life again and again. I’ve prayed for others and seen them healed, some instantly, and some over a period of time. Many missionaries believe in God’s miraculous power. …