830. What more can we do?

My church already send money to the missionaries. 
What More Can I do?

What More Can I do to Help Missionaries?

There are several things we can do—three while the missionary is on the field and three when he comes home.

A. What the Missionary Needs While on the Mission Field

1. Financial Support. 

This is the most obvious one, because he has to eat and sleep and do all those daily things we do. In addition, he has to purchase equipment to help him accomplish his task. Perhaps a four-wheel-drive vehicle, a PA system, a computer. Then he has to travel a lot. Contrary to what we may think, it is often more expensive than here.

2. Spiritual Support. 

The Bible tells us we are in a spiritual warfare. Missionaries are on the front line of the spiritual war. They need our prayers and spiritual support.

3. Emotional Support. 

He’s in a different culture, away from familiar things we all take for granted. He has to do things contrary to what he has been taught all his life. It’s not easy. He needs our support. He needs to hear from us. He needs to hear questions like, “How can I pray for you? What is the most difficult thing you are facing?”

B. What the Missionary Needs When he Returns Home.

Perhaps our missionary has been away five or ten years. What does he need now?

1. Practical Support. 

Before he left home, our missionary may have sold everything. When he returns, he needs a place to stay, a car to drive, clothes to wear. His clothes may be unsuitable or out-of-date in our culture.

2. Cultural Support. 

When people move to another country, they often experience cultural shock. If they stay away long enough, they experience reverse cultural shock on their return. They expect things to be the same, but it’s not. They need help to adapt. They need supportive advice about what to do and what not to do.

3. Aural Support. 

This pertains to listening rather than speaking (oral.) Imagine our missionary who comes home with many exciting stories and information about his time on the mission field. He has poured his life into a group of people who need the gospel. The first person he meets greets him with, “What do you think of those Dodgers?” People don’t seem to care about what he has done, or all his experiences. He needs somebody to listen, and opportunities to tell. Perhaps at a church, Sunday school, small group, or informal gathering of friends.

Allan Starling

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Some of them are obvious to us: prayer, partnership, support. Yet I’m finding that the strongest desire of many “international workers” isn’t for those basics—as important as they are. What they do crave is... Read More 

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Mind the Gaps is the name of an organization engaged in missionary care. The say:

"Missionary Care, It’s What We Do. We value dependable care through grace-oriented relationships. We want to fill in the gaps of needs not met by the sending church or mission agency. We want to promote congregational awareness and involvement.... Read More