What are the advantages of long-term missions?
How can I know if God is leading me to become a missionary?
» more related questionsQ: What is the hardest thing about life as a missionary?
A: It depends on the country and the person.
It varies from field to field, and also from person to person. I personally live in Europe, so some of the hardest things for me have been emotional rather than physical. I miss my family. I miss Chicago Pizza.
However, I think the hardest thing for me on the field is coping bi-culturally. I feel that I do fine here, but going back, or dealing with people from home is really strange. I've changed. I've become a different person over here in Europe, because I have to. But the people back home have never seen that side of me and so that's difficult. I have to straddle two cultures that have such different worldviews about war and peace, government, taxes, family and religion.
For some the difficulty may lie instead in physical matters, like living in Africa. Others may wrestle with their co-workers.
However, I think the hardest thing for me on the field is coping bi-culturally. I feel that I do fine here, but going back, or dealing with people from home is really strange. I've changed. I've become a different person over here in Europe, because I have to. But the people back home have never seen that side of me and so that's difficult. I have to straddle two cultures that have such different worldviews about war and peace, government, taxes, family and religion.
For some the difficulty may lie instead in physical matters, like living in Africa. Others may wrestle with their co-workers.
A: Loving your teammates can be tough.
There can be many difficult things based on the particular location that God has called you to. Sometimes the living conditions are less than comfortable. Sometimes the shock of living in a new culture can be difficult to deal with. Sometimes we see very little fruit, even when we put great effort into ministry. But the one thing that seems to happen in almost every missions team is members have difficulty getting along with one another. More missionaries leave the mission field because of their co-workers than any other reason. Loving your team members can be very difficult at times, but it can also be a great example to the local people of what loving Christian fellowship should look like.
A: Relationships with other missionaries is difficult.
The most difficult aspect of missionary living is getting along with the other missionaries. This might surprise you, but it is nothing new. In Romans 12, Paul is making the transition from what God has done for us to what our response is to be: To give our entire being back to Him in service. After some valuable thoughts in verses 1-8, in verses 9-21, Paul gives us 25 solutions to interpersonal relationships! To know that this is an age-old problem does not make it any easier to deal with. However, Romans 12:9-21 is a good place to begin.
A: Tolerating others.
The hardest thing about living on the mission field is probably getting along with the other missionaries. Remember, at times you may be stuck with these people 24/7. Sometimes there are great people that you can get along with easily but almost invariably there are people that to you may seem almost impossible. You may find out that some people are cheap, selfish, and have a very different outlook on life that you do. One of them may beat you up or attack you ... I'm not kidding. You may not 'fit in' with the group but unfortunately you have no other place to go.
I believe that God can use that to get you even more involved with the nationals and sharing the Gospel with them! Ultimately, though, you may realize that the tolerance that you, with such great difficulty, afforded to others was also actually afforded to you by them as well. Because, you see, you're not such a saint yourself.
I believe that God can use that to get you even more involved with the nationals and sharing the Gospel with them! Ultimately, though, you may realize that the tolerance that you, with such great difficulty, afforded to others was also actually afforded to you by them as well. Because, you see, you're not such a saint yourself.
A: Being forgotten.
Being forgotten by folks back home who sent us here has been hard.
Also, there has been loss of interest by "short termers." The more the short termers seemed to be "moved" by what they saw, the more quickly I failed to hear from them.
Also, it is tough seeing fellow missionaries not fulfill their stated goals. Seeing them say in their newsletters that they are doing things that they are not at all, doing!
Also, there has been loss of interest by "short termers." The more the short termers seemed to be "moved" by what they saw, the more quickly I failed to hear from them.
Also, it is tough seeing fellow missionaries not fulfill their stated goals. Seeing them say in their newsletters that they are doing things that they are not at all, doing!
A: Being forgotten.
When I left for the field, I predicted we would be forgotten within six months. I was wrong. It was two months. Except for an occasional email directed to the entire Church, we received an email here and there. Birthdays and anniversaries were forgotten.
Even though we sent updates via email every month, very few people responded to them.
That was my thing but perhaps God knew that I was a people person and required a feeling of loyalty and support. Perhaps by not getting it, He taught me to depend only on Him. It worked! We have a great ministry. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it!
Even though we sent updates via email every month, very few people responded to them.
That was my thing but perhaps God knew that I was a people person and required a feeling of loyalty and support. Perhaps by not getting it, He taught me to depend only on Him. It worked! We have a great ministry. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it!
A: Adapting to a new culture.
Most missionaries would tell you that all the changes are hard. New country, new language, new food, new culture, new "norms" and values.
I've been in ministry for six years, and four of those years I have lived and currently do, in Africa.
Of all the things I've found the hardest and seen more people struggle with is adaptation to a whole new "world".
If you go into your overseas assignment with the attitude of "this is my home now ... I need to learn how to live here,” you'll do well. Resist the urge to compare everything with the way you do things, or the way things are in your home country. To borrow a well-known line: "We're not in Kansas anymore".
If you'll choose to become part of the lives of those you are ministering to and learn to accept differences, you will have a better chance of being effective than if you hold on yourself and your way of doing things.
Remember Paul's words and become all things to all men. By surrendering your culture, your comfort, and learning to assimilate to your new "home" culture, you'll find it easier to adapt.
I've been in ministry for six years, and four of those years I have lived and currently do, in Africa.
Of all the things I've found the hardest and seen more people struggle with is adaptation to a whole new "world".
If you go into your overseas assignment with the attitude of "this is my home now ... I need to learn how to live here,” you'll do well. Resist the urge to compare everything with the way you do things, or the way things are in your home country. To borrow a well-known line: "We're not in Kansas anymore".
If you'll choose to become part of the lives of those you are ministering to and learn to accept differences, you will have a better chance of being effective than if you hold on yourself and your way of doing things.
Remember Paul's words and become all things to all men. By surrendering your culture, your comfort, and learning to assimilate to your new "home" culture, you'll find it easier to adapt.
