Support SAMS :: Sending Resource

Sending:

Serving as Senders, Neal Pirolo
Emmaus Road International
7150 Tanner Court
San Diego CA 92111
Email: emmaus_road@eri.org

Those who go and those who serve as senders are like two units on the same cross-cultural outreach team. This book makes the point that mobilizers or senders are as crucial to missions as missionaries.

YOU can get involved in the Great Commission! You can Serve as a Sender! This book will teach you how to care for the missionaries you know while they are preparing to go, while they are on the field and when they return home. You will be amazed at how active you can be in missions.

The following is a brief outline of the six areas of support:

  1. Moral Support
    1. "Be there for them."
    2. Be a active listener.
    3. Commission them! Publicly! Paul in Acts 13 was Called, Counseled, and then Commissioned.

  2. Logistics Support
    1. Maintain accountability.
    2. Confirm Spiritual growth. Before, during and after the trip.
    3. Managing business affairs.
    4. Money
      1. Taxes
      2. Health
      3. Death of a family member

    5. Attending to personal details.
    6. Material goods left behind.
      1. Family matters, will etcY
      2. Ministry needs and equipment.

  3. Financial Support
    1. Bank account management.
    2. Giving

  4. Prayer Support
    1. Prayer teams
    2. Pray during services
    3. Spiritual warfare

  5. Communication Support
    1. Letters
    2. E-Mail
    3. Telephone
    4. Fax
    5. Ham radio
    6. Photos
    7. Video
    8. Tapes
    9. Care Packages
    10. Short term mission team visit

  6. Re-entry Support
    1. The returning missionary will face many challenges.
      1. Professionally - Jobs may be hard to find. His sense of ministry belonging will be a little disoriented. The "Big fish in the little pond" is now overwhelmed with "the little fish in a very Big pond ."
      2. Materially - Coming back from a third world country to western countries can be overwhelming! Your missionary can find himself overwhelmed just shopping at the supermarket. This may sound funny but it's very real to them.
      3. Culturally - New beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors become a part of your returning worker. Changing from a slower Event oriented rather than Time oriented cultures will cause stress. They will be shocked to find out that some people just are not interested in their experiences. I have met some returning missionaries who cried for three months strait and didn't know why.
      4. Socially - Life goes on. Things will never be the same at home again. This is good, but can be very uncomfortable. For you and them. If there was poor communication support at home the returning missionary might be greeted at the door with "Hi Sally! How was your vacation?". If their home church is large they may not recognize anyone.
      5. Politically - The highways were 55 when he left, rode a bike for the next three years and then he returns to 70 mph! Having to see the other side of American foreign policy might change your missionaries outlook on his home country.
      6. Educationally - The kids might have a hard time adapting to the schools at home.
      7. Spiritually - He was in the thick of the battle over there and now he fights off sleeping in the pew. Church picnics just don't do anything for him. This is where a home fellowship group is very important. Keep in close spiritual contact them. Keep them active in discipleing others.
    2. Re-entry Behavior patterns:
      1. Alienation - Don't let them withdraw.
      2. Condemnation - Make them feel loved and appreciated. Make time for them.
      3. Reversion - Trying to start right where he left off in Christian service is not going to work. Help him ease into service.
      4. Escape - The whirlwind of emotions leaves him broken. He backs out of life - spiritually, mentally and emotionally. You need to listen to him. Make him feel like there is a core group that really cares.
      5. Integration - Helping them integrate takes place on two levels.
        1. Immediate support
        2. Meet them at the airport.
        3. Have a place for them to stay.
        4. Have a immediate means of transportation for them.
        5. Provide meals the first few days.
        6. Take them Shopping.
        7. Medical checkups if needed.
        8. Potluck debriefing to let them talk.
        9. Long Range support
        10. Be proactive in getting them to share their experiences.
        11. Go slowly with getting them involved in Christian work. But do get them involved.
        12. Find them a Job.

PO Box 399
Ambridge, PA 15003
www.SAMSUSA.org 		South American Missionary Society Phone: 724 266 0669
Fax: 724 266 5681
Email SAMS

| home | about SAMS | missionaries | country files | opportunities |
| support SAMS | resources | contact SAMS | sitemap |

 

:: Support SAMS ::
| ways to send | ways to give | ways to pray |

www.SAMS-USA.org

 

 

 

Alan Enterprises Website Design Firm