Living faithful, fruitful and fulfilled on the mission field
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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.
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The holidays are amazing and wonderful! They can also be hard. I find that when I finally get time to relax, suppressed emotions find their way to the surface. When families or churches gather, there is joy. There can also be awkward exchanges with people you’ve had conflicts with. Maybe this year you are celebrating the holidays for the first time without someone you deeply love, a person no longer part of your life. You want to feel happy, but it’s easier said than done.
I’m going to keep this blog short. It is a busy season and you’ve got a lot to do. I wanted to give you permission though (in case you need someone to do so) to listen to your soul during the upcoming holidays.
What is your soul saying?
I’m planning on doing an Emotional Jug every day over the holidays. I’ll either journal it or do it verbally with my handsome hubby.
We’re in the midst of a transition back to Asia. There are tons of positive emotions, things I’m delighted in about being back. Like the fun Thai elephants with Santa hats. Aren’t they fun? There is sadness too. We miss our kids and grandson. There are a few fears I need to take note of as well.
As you give your inner voice space to speak, pay attention. Take those things to the Christ child who came into this world with beautiful vulnerability. Look at the nativity scenes around you and let your heart engage with that Jesus, the babe in the manger is so very human.
I’m praying this Christmas season and the coming year will be the best one ever for you and yours. The Savior came to heal, redeem, and restore us. May He be your Savior in fresh new ways today and in 2020.
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The Times reported that in 2019 alone, 69 people were killed in mass shootings. (And the year’s not over yet! Yikes!). Even in countries that used to be considered safe, churches are taking precautions to protect those who attend. On the mission field, safety is …
Terrorists and extremists; we’ve seen them up close. Radical religious fanatics live next door. Unstable governments with dictatorships or authoritarian leaders- they are common. How do we stay safe on the field?
We have families to protect and care for. When faced with danger, we need to know how to respond with wisdom. It is important to prepare for crisis situations well. Then, when they happen, we are following a plan, not reacting out of shock.
In the last blog, I introduced my friend Joe Malhoit. He worked for twenty years as an investigator with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). My friend shared some scriptures and thoughts about safety from a biblical perspective. Joe is a friend of mine from Bible college days and is also an ordained minister of the gospel.
He also shared four important questions with me. These are what we should ask when preparing for dangerous situations in the field. Before I share those with you though, I want to describe a situation I faced when I felt threatened. Maybe you’ve faced things that were much worse. But this was a time I was genuinely concerned for my safety.
I had decided to go to Kolkata late. It was an important trip, so though the trains I normally chose to travel in were full, I took whatever booking I could. Traveling in the cheapest class, I was just happy to book a seat on the overnight trip. I’d board late afternoon, sleep on the train and arrive early morning at my destination. Or so I thought…
Saying goodbye to my husband and kids, I took a taxi to the station and waited on the platform for the train to arrive. It would only stop a few minutes. I was ready to get on quickly.
When the train pulled up, I jostled with the other passengers to get on. Entering the train, it began to move while I struggled with my luggage against crowds of people. I needed to locate my designated seat.
As I moved through the compartment I was aware of the people around me. In India, you always have to be aware, especially in crowds. There are numerous strangers waiting for an opportunity to unzip your backpack and grab a wallet or phone out of it.
I began to notice, as I moved closer to my seat number, that this part of the train was full of young men dressed in orange. They were everywhere…rowdy, and chanting slogans.
When I came to my assigned seat, on the top bunk, it was already filled with four young men wearing orange. I greeted them and showed my ticket. “You are in my seat,” I said. They ignored me and continued to chant and make rude comments.
What was I to do?
Finding another lady in a nearby berth who had managed to wedge herself into a seat and refuse to move, I asked for help. “They are in my seat. What should I do?” I asked. “Maybe the conductor will come and ask them to move?”
“No conductor will come,” she said.
It became apparent to me that I was in a part of the train that had been taken over by a gang. These radical Hindus who had no intention of leaving and no tickets to be there. I was scared. I realized I was in a situation where anything could happen in the midst of this mob. A woman alone and unprotected in a context where the law was afraid to come. How would I protect myself?
Whispering a prayer, I said, “Jesus, keep me safe.”
Somehow, I made it through the night. The Lord did indeed protect me. I didn’t get to lay down and sleep though! Constantly aware, I squeezed onto the corner of the berth. Somehow I managed to make it to my destination the next morning. I could have used Joe’s questions that night.
Joe says, “I have a few simple time tested principles to help keep you and those around you safe. The best place to start as you work on being safer in a dangerous world is to work on your situational awareness.
I use four questions to help people develop a productive level of awareness. This is similar to the “What If Game,” I learned to use as an FBI Agent. Ask yourself at different points during the day, what would I do if…
Pick a difficult or dangerous scenario. Play the “What If Game” on a regular basis. You will then be less overwhelmed when something threatening or dangerous occurs. It helps you fight your natural reaction to freeze or panic.
Joe, with my help, will introduce the first two questions here. See Part 2 (next week) for the remaining two questions we need to ask to stay safe.
There is a broad degree of threatening behaviors. Think about different types of threats. Maybe someone is acting strange or doing physical harm to others. Consider all the different places you spend time, especially gathering spots.
As a way of helping you to anticipate a threatening situation, I encourage you to trust your “sixth sense.” This is when you, even unconsciously, start to pick up on clues in your environment that feel threatening.
Your stomach may become upset, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, or you may just start to feel uneasy.
This is the time to start paying better attention to your environment. Begin making a plan in case violence starts. “Trust your sixth sense, you have been developing it over your entire lifetime.”
I believe what Joe is talking about here is the way God has designed humans to be protected. This “sixth sense” is in everyone. The advantage we have as believers is we also have His Spirit living within us. God can alert you to danger if you are sensitive to His Spirit within you. Don’t ignore the signs and signals He is giving you. Listen to Him as He shows you what to do and what plan to make.
This question takes it a step further. You need to have some answers before the violence starts. This is key.
When surprised by unexpected violence, most people freeze or panic. You need to have answers prepared ahead of time. Then, you can do something purposeful to survive the situation.
For example, you should already know alternative exits. Identify how you can get out of the place you are in.
Know who around you is good in a crisis, and who needs extra help (like a child).
What do you have around you or on you to defend yourself with? Think of this as cheating ahead, which is important. If you have plans in place ahead of time you will be much more likely to do something productive.
I’m sitting in a coffee shop. Typing away, I’ve been completely unaware of my surroundings. Not practicing very good situational awareness, am I? It is probably best if I “practice” this in safe situations and train my mind to be prepared.
I just took a minute to become more aware of those around me. I checked in with my “sixth sense” and with the Lord. No one is threatening or acting strange. There are no children or others around who would need help. I found my exits.
Staying safe on the mission field is important for us and our families. God wants to use you for many years to come. You don’t need to assume you will be a martyr. Join me in learning to stay safe.
What threatening experiences have you faced on the mission field? How did you respond? Feel free to share with me by email, on the Missionary Life Facebook group or in the comments below.
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