Another set of questions was posed to this missionary: “What are healthy and right expectations to have when a missionary goes to a new place? What are good things to think about in terms of expectations for missions work? What will you do to continue your education overseas?”
Our friend responded that the same questions should be posed to him in a few years because he would be able to answer much more intelligently. Many of the variables of missions are based on individual circumstances in each country, such as access to the internet or to electricity, ability and ease of receiving materials from elsewhere (whether written or otherwise), and the presence or absence of other believers. Questions about expectations can only be answered generally before someone has been in the country for a time.
What you can expect, however, are the following things. Expect it to be hard. Expect to suffer. Expect that new things will come and will change your life like nothing else ever has. At the same time, expect that you will have unique joys and insights into God’s character that would have otherwise been impossible.
One struggle for missionaries is that there is little meaningful fellowship or preaching in the country to which they are going. If there is an indigenous church already established, the preaching will likely be in the native tongue, adding another level of difficulty for the missionaries who desire to be fed by others. This can be offset to some degree by materials from the home church, but real discipleship and targeted preaching is very difficult to find in many places.
Thankfully, the number of resources available to missionaries is increasing. The relative global ease of travel compared to one hundred years ago means that missionaries can take small libraries with them, and can even receive new books by mail if necessary. This form of spiritual materials and support can do great things for missionaries, as they are encouraged by their home church to continue growing deeper in faith. Missionaries can do a lot of reading. This also enables them to pass along their theological library to the indigenous church, assuming that there are some who speak the missionary’s native tongue.
The opportunity that we have, then, is to pray for missionaries and to send good books to them. Usually it is best to find out what the missionary wants or needs, rather than just sending a deluge of random materials. This is one way to encourage our missionary brothers and sisters, as well as to foster their continued growth in Christ. May God grant that the churches of our land have hearts and minds to remember our brothers overseas!
--Dean of Admissions
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