Many of you read my blog to get a glimpse into what it's like to be a missionary family. I want to write a series of blogs on the struggles of being a missionary as well as the blessings of being a missionary. I will, by no means, be able to cover all struggles and blessings... but my hope is that this series will give you a glimpse into how to pray for your missionaries. You may find that missionary struggles and blessings are no different from yours!
One of the biggest struggles that missionary families share in common is protecting their children on the field. Even an area that is no more dangerous than inner-city Chicago is foreign and the dangers are unknown.
Diseases are serious and unknown. Medical care is often lacking. Parents have to be everything for their children instead of parents being able to pass some things off to others. Parents have to decide when to vaccinate their children and for what and sometimes have to give them the vaccines themselves. Parents have to decide when a fever is just a virus or when it's malaria. Every "off day" could be a life-threatening illness... or could be a kid being a kid.
Some regions have dangers that are foreign to Westerners, like child sacrifices. How do you protect your child against something that you don't even understand?
Snakes, scorpions, strange millipedes, parasites... you gotta let your kid play outside, you gotta let your kid play in the dirt, you gotta tuck them into bed at night...
It is incredibly stressful to feel this weight... especially on the days when I forget that GOD is sovereign and I convince myself that I can protect my children from all calamities... especially when a family is searching for that second or third opinion or reassurance... and I'm that line of defense.
Pray for your missionaries with children:
1) Pray for wisdom and discernment in decision-making when it comes to health and safety.
2) Pray for safety against unknown dangers.
3) Pray for no need to access medical care.
4) Pray for protection against "the elements."
5) Pray as you feel led for your missionaries and their children.
6) Pray that your missionaries would trust in the sovereignty of God in ALL areas of life!
One of the biggest struggles that missionary families share in common is protecting their children on the field. Even an area that is no more dangerous than inner-city Chicago is foreign and the dangers are unknown.
Diseases are serious and unknown. Medical care is often lacking. Parents have to be everything for their children instead of parents being able to pass some things off to others. Parents have to decide when to vaccinate their children and for what and sometimes have to give them the vaccines themselves. Parents have to decide when a fever is just a virus or when it's malaria. Every "off day" could be a life-threatening illness... or could be a kid being a kid.
Some regions have dangers that are foreign to Westerners, like child sacrifices. How do you protect your child against something that you don't even understand?
Snakes, scorpions, strange millipedes, parasites... you gotta let your kid play outside, you gotta let your kid play in the dirt, you gotta tuck them into bed at night...
It is incredibly stressful to feel this weight... especially on the days when I forget that GOD is sovereign and I convince myself that I can protect my children from all calamities... especially when a family is searching for that second or third opinion or reassurance... and I'm that line of defense.
Pray for your missionaries with children:
1) Pray for wisdom and discernment in decision-making when it comes to health and safety.
2) Pray for safety against unknown dangers.
3) Pray for no need to access medical care.
4) Pray for protection against "the elements."
5) Pray as you feel led for your missionaries and their children.
6) Pray that your missionaries would trust in the sovereignty of God in ALL areas of life!
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