Missions Textbook 59
Farewell to the Nationals

We Never Saw It Coming: An Introduction to Christian Missions (textbook)

What determines a missionary’s success or failure on the mission field when it comes time to leave? Somehow just going doesn’t seem to be considered successful, since followers of Jesus often travel to other countries and stay for long periods of time without considering themselves to be missionaries.

The answer lies in the missionary’s original and modified goals and methods of ministry. Some missionaries believe that God has called them permanently to the field. They usually feel devastated if they have to leave the field for any reason. Others view their calling as short-term for the purpose of completing a given task, which may be well-defined or not.

When Paul took his first team into Asia Minor and returned, Luke wrote that the team had completed the work they went to do (Acts 14:26). Their success lay in the fact that they had led some people – Jews and Gentiles – to Jesus and had planted local churches in numerous locations. Since missionary work has been quite diverse over the centuries, it’s difficult to believe that God would consider any missionary activity to bring people to Jesus a failure. When Jesus said, “I will build my Church . . .” in Matthew 16:8, He didn’t base His ability to do it on any missionary activity. He still chooses to use people in different ways, but He is not hampered or limited by our human endeavors or definitions of success. His ultimate goal is to bring souls to Himself through repentance from sin (i.e., justification), form them into His image (i.e., sanctification, using the local church as a key part of that sanctification), and finally glorification. Any definition of success should probably view evangelism, teaching believers, and planting churches as the ultimate goal of any missionary activity.

If you are ready to leave your present field of ministry, Have you developed deep relationships with the nationals? How will you say good-bye? How does your family view your leaving? Are you leaving any of your children behind?

In some ways Paul the apostle had it a bit easier than missionaries with families when they leave the field. However, Paul expressed the agony of realizing that he would never see some of his dear friends again until heaven. Acts 20:17-38 is worth reading numerous times. Ephesus was the demonic capital of that part of the world during Paul’s time. Paul claimed complete transparency in his ministry in Ephesus (v18). He revealed his raw emotions of having worked with everyone in Ephesus (v19). He boldly claimed that he did not hold back anything the people needed (v20), nor did he just focus on one group (v21).

However, Paul was leaving because the Holy Spirit was pushing him to Jerusalem. Not all missionaries can leave the field with such clear direction. Some have to leave just because they have to leave.

He concluded his farewell by making it clear that he would not see them again (v25), and then he admonished them to guard against deception from within their own numbers. This is important. Paul had recognized all along the way that he was never intended to become a permanent fixture in their lives. He always left when the work was finished. He had led these people to Jesus, taught them everything they needed at that time, and left the leadership of the local church in the hands of local elders. It is more difficult to justify a missionary staying in one location his whole life than it is to justify a missionary leaving under negative circumstances.

Leaving the field can be an emotional rollercoaster if the missionary feels that he/she has failed, and it’s difficult if the missionary has developed lots of friends, whom he/she may never see again this side of heaven.

The other side of leaving is making a transition to the new location, whether that is another mission field or perhaps back “home.” A new mission field will naturally require a new beginning in a new culture, perhaps learning a new language. Go back to the beginning of these articles, if that is the case.

If the new location is “back home,” this is called Re-entry, and home will not be the same. You have changed; home has changed, and you probably have not changed in the same direction. There will be things you love about your mission field, and in comparison, your homeland will not measure up. There will, of course, be things you are glad to see. For us, it was hamburger restaurants and malls. We found the streets too wide, the speed limits too slow (back then it was 50 MPH everywhere), and we really missed shaking hands every time we met up with someone.

If you are going home, here are a few questions you will need to answer to be ready for Re-entry:

  • Are you returning to your home country permanently?
  • What are you going to do? (Career, job, church work)
  • What’s the job market like for older, not-yet-retired missionaries?
  • Have you saved enough money to retire on?
  • Will you return to your home and/or sending church or live near family or live somewhere else?
  • Once you’re finished with the mission field, should you just slide into oblivion to never be heard from again?
  • Or can you say to yourself, “Self, I’m not dead yet! There’s still more to be done!”
  • How will you get involved in your church, in your local community?
  • Do they want your help, or do they wish you had stayed on the field?
  • Can you get involved with foreigners who came from your mission field or who speak that language?
  • How much contact should you keep up with your national friends and fellow missionaries on the field?

You have accomplished something that very few people do: moved to a new country, learned the language, and adapted to a new culture. You have also had a vision – a desire – to serve God in a way not many do: to preach the Gospel to people who have not had the opportunity to hear it. You have seen them come to the Lord, discipled them, and planted a church – or more than one church. Perhaps you started a school, a medical clinic, or you assisted the nationals to build things for themselves. The mission has been glorious, but just as Paul did, you found it was time to leave – for whatever reason. Perhaps the work was finished. Perhaps the nationals wanted you to leave so they could continue on their own. Perhaps the atmosphere with co-workers became unbearable. Perhaps the health of someone in your family could no longer tolerate your situation. Perhaps you just wanted to leave, tired and with no logical reason.

On re-entry, the adjustment will be a repeat of the cultural adjustments you made when you arrived new and green on your mission field. You need to approach this phase of your life with the same humility and willingness to learn. There are few things more insufferable than retired missionaries who can’t stop comparing the mission field with home, insulting their home country as uninformed and ignorant. It is better to listen and to only offer advice when asked. You will be full of stories, but few will be interested. Pray that God will give you a kind, listening friend, who may not understand, but will let you cry when you are homesick for the believers and culture halfway around the world. And if you are reading this, and you know retired missionaries, perhaps you can be this sort of friend to them.

We Never Saw It Coming: An Introduction to Christian Missions (textbook)

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