When we send missionaries around the world, there are certain things we expect to happen.
We expect them to share the Gospel. We expect them to teach English or give out tracts or teach school. We expect them to plant churches and raise their families and have good relationships with other mission agencies. Occasionally, we expect them to deal with resistance from the government or neighbors or fringe groups.
We do not expect them to suddenly be in the middle of a war.
We do not expect them to suddenly have thousands of refugees on their doorstep.
We do not expect them to suddenly evacuate because of a giant tsunami.
These are all things that could happen anywhere. And in the back of our minds, we sort of understand that. And we maybe have 12% of a plan if something did happen. (Unless it's zombies. Our plan then is to find the nearest teenager and follow their very detailed plan.)
But it's different when you're not home. At home, you have a support system, you have friends and family, you understand the context and the history and the culture.
As a field missionary, you very deliberately do not have these things.
So it might be understandable that, when faced with things we don't expect, we may hesitate or panic because there is no plan.
Except, consistently, missionaries don't do that.
For the last year and more, our missionaries in Ukraine have been in a war zone. They have concerns, but even when it looked like we might need to bring them home, they asked to stay. Because people still need Jesus.
Monday, we Skyped a missionary who was literally in the field at a refugee camp in Hungary. They had very few resources to deal with thousands of refugees. They will see these people for maybe ten minutes or an hour. They do not speak their language. But they are giving them everything they have. Because these people need Jesus.
Back in 2011, a tsunami swept across the coast of Japan. Most of our missionaries were on a retreat in the mountains. But almost immediately, they started taking supplies to those who were left. Years later, when a lot of organizations have pulled out, our missionaries are still serving. Because people still need Jesus.
Nowhere in any of these missionaries' job descriptions does it say anything about war, refugees, or floods. But they never hesitate. If they panic, they hide it pretty well. They just do what Christians anywhere should do.
They be the hands and feet of Jesus.
How awesome is that?
We expect them to share the Gospel. We expect them to teach English or give out tracts or teach school. We expect them to plant churches and raise their families and have good relationships with other mission agencies. Occasionally, we expect them to deal with resistance from the government or neighbors or fringe groups.
We do not expect them to suddenly be in the middle of a war.
We do not expect them to suddenly have thousands of refugees on their doorstep.
We do not expect them to suddenly evacuate because of a giant tsunami.
These are all things that could happen anywhere. And in the back of our minds, we sort of understand that. And we maybe have 12% of a plan if something did happen. (Unless it's zombies. Our plan then is to find the nearest teenager and follow their very detailed plan.)
But it's different when you're not home. At home, you have a support system, you have friends and family, you understand the context and the history and the culture.
As a field missionary, you very deliberately do not have these things.
So it might be understandable that, when faced with things we don't expect, we may hesitate or panic because there is no plan.
Except, consistently, missionaries don't do that.
For the last year and more, our missionaries in Ukraine have been in a war zone. They have concerns, but even when it looked like we might need to bring them home, they asked to stay. Because people still need Jesus.
Monday, we Skyped a missionary who was literally in the field at a refugee camp in Hungary. They had very few resources to deal with thousands of refugees. They will see these people for maybe ten minutes or an hour. They do not speak their language. But they are giving them everything they have. Because these people need Jesus.
Back in 2011, a tsunami swept across the coast of Japan. Most of our missionaries were on a retreat in the mountains. But almost immediately, they started taking supplies to those who were left. Years later, when a lot of organizations have pulled out, our missionaries are still serving. Because people still need Jesus.
Nowhere in any of these missionaries' job descriptions does it say anything about war, refugees, or floods. But they never hesitate. If they panic, they hide it pretty well. They just do what Christians anywhere should do.
They be the hands and feet of Jesus.
How awesome is that?
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