SQJ Taipei

A couple weeks ago, one of our friends wrote and asked us if they could provide us with some ideas about how they might be able to help one of the missionaries their church supports who is back in the USA for a year. I replied… but later thought of this and though I’d share it here.

It is from a page titled “Provide Missionary Care” and it is part of the WorldVenture website.

Last year I wrote 2 posts where I gave information from this same page.

15 Things Every Missionary Needs

The Care and Feeding of Missionary Kids

Here is the part that I didn’t point out in those posts:

How can I help during times of political upheaval or natural disaster?

• Stay informed.
• Volunteer to help if the need arises.
• Pray and develop a team who will pray.
• Check our website for ongoing information.
• Be generous in your giving.
• Don’t insist on regular contact with your missionary but connect with them through WorldVenture.
• If missionaries have had to be evacuated from crisis situations, provide a healing community.
• If re-deployment is necessary, provide financial support, prayer support, encouragement and input.

How can I help a missionary during time of personal crisis?

• Provide a safe place to debrief and to seek prayer and emotional support.
• Be concerned and pray but don’t pry.
• Give the missionary emotional and physical space if needed.
• Offer pastoral and member care when requested.
• Continue to contribute financially or provide for emergencies with one time gifts.
• Write notes of encouragement are appreciated.
• Partner with the sending agency to provide maximum care for the missionary.

When your missionary is on home assignment, his family’s transition will be easier if you:

• Befriend them.
• Show interest in their ministry and overseas life.
• Include them in social activities
• Host a gathering for them to give ministry update or just to introduce them to the church family.
• Offer vacation possibilities.
• Care for family needs like babysitting, loaning a car, providing car maintenance, grocery shopping, and communication support.
• Introduce the children to children their age.
• Provide them with a cultural update on trends, US & local news and fashions.
• Provide them with orientation to the community like the grocery store, hospital, and local schools.