4 answers
Mallory
Student
Big Lake, Minnesota
7
Questions
Updated
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What was the place you went to, and how has God provided? What is some of your stories of easy and hard parts of being a missionary? What is some practical steps to grow and prepare?
I am a sophomore in high school. I feel called to ministry, and I've been able to talk with some about it, but I know everyone has a story. I like to get more input from who I can.
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4 answers
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
235
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Choosing a place for missionary work involves praying and seeking guidance. Being a missionary has its easy parts, such as experiencing different cultures, and hard parts, like language barriers and being away from loved ones. To grow and prepare, it depends on you. Get involved in your local church, seek mentorship, pursue relevant education, and engage in short-term mission trips or volunteer work. Remember, everyone's journey is unique, so surround yourself with a supportive community!
Katherine Avery
Run a music studio and teach private music lessons; teach college-level religion classes
350
Answers
Spanish Fork, Utah
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
Hi Mallory, my family has generations of missionary experience. I can just share some of my family members' experiences:
In my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) many people submit an application to be a missionary, and on the application they do things like state how able they are to finance their own mission themselves, list what vaccinations they have received, how generally healthy they are, what foreign language or medical or other specialized knowledge they may have, and so on. If you are looking to be a missionary you might be more likely to find a church or organization to "go through" like that, so you can have good contact points and organization to support you as you travel and work.
One of my grandparents was a missionary in Uruguay, and she lived according to the culture of foreigners there at the time (having maids to cook and do her laundry; it was how things were set up then). She spent time traveling around to teach about scripture and doctrine, and to serve others, and hold religious meetings to meet people. Another grandparent spent his time living in and traveling around different parts of Texas and New Mexico. He worked on keeping groups of missionaries organized, as well as seeking out chances to meet new people and find out what they knew about God and religion, and answer their questions and ask if they would like to be baptized, and baptizing them when they were ready.
My dad spent time as a missionary in Washington D.C. and he spoke Spanish and so he mostly spent time with Spanish speakers--at that time, many of the people he found most interested in looking for more religion or being closer to God were people from El Salvador who had come to the U.S. because life in El Salvador was dangerous and hard. He worked along with other missionaries who were concentrating on English speakers or people who spoke African or Asian languages. All the missionaries who concentrated on their different language cohorts had the same leadership.
My mom spent time as a missionary in Peru learning more about how the people there lived and understanding their culture, attending religious meetings and teaching about religion in people's homes, as well as helping other missionaries who were working there understand more about what the U.S. was like and how English speakers do things that might be culturally different; and she also worked a small bit in Utah with refugees from Korea, Vietnam, and Cambodia, as many new people had recently come there from those countries where they were having unrest, and she spent time learning a little bit of how to speak the languages and going to families' homes to eat meals with them or teach their kids something about religion.
My grandparents went together to Yellowknife Canada, north of the Arctic circle, for a year one time, and lived up there getting to know people who came for international work all over the world, and making church services available on Sundays for people who wanted to attend, since there are many people up there who are only living there temporarily for a few years and it's hard to keep things like church congregations established regularly with a consistent feel. They lived next door to the building where they held services, and were in charge of making sure the buildings were maintained well in the cold weather etc. also, and they tried to keep track of people who belonged to the congregation even if those people lived or traveled hours away for months at a time, so those people could be informed if some emergency or worldwide important news happened that they might not otherwise hear about, and so they could report back to leadership in other parts of Canada how people up there were doing.
My brother spent time in Bulgaria as a missionary, and he spent time traveling a lot all over the country and trying to keep church congregations running, as it was a time that many people weren't very interested in religion but people needed a lot of help. In the years since he has come back home and gone on with his life, he's gotten to hear that the work he did, trying to keep people feeling supported and hopeful who were interested in religion back then, has helped them continue to make friends and get more people interested in the gospel over time and things are going a little better over there now.
One of my sisters went to the Oakland CA area and spent time also speaking Spanish and helping people who might be natives of the U.S. or not to be strong congregations and serve each other and help after natural disasters etc. since churches and religious groups are often the people who are most ready and prepared to help a community in tough times. She's also a singer and several times she would be asked to go sing for some service or meeting.
Another sister was actually one of the last missionaries in Ukraine before the war started in 2022, trying to help people feel more hopeful and prepared spiritually and emotionally, since people were very worried about the possibility of a war and the disruption of life. She tried to help people have a good new year's celebration, and talk to them about Christ, but people weren't usually able to be very focused on anything religious because they were preoccupied. But my sister got pulled out of Ukraine about a month before the war started, and before she left, she had gotten to make friends and hear about different people who were leaving Ukraine for other countries, and she said she was confident that the people she helped befriend would have gone to these other countries, and when it was the right time for them, God would find them in those places and they could find out more about Him as they might be more interested then.
Another brother is currently doing mission work in Brazil--he spent a lot of time in cities, serving people and mostly training other missionaries how to live the customary culture in Brazil and meet people and stay healthy, and recently he traveled to a new town very far away from big cities, and he's working right now to be some of the first missionaries who haver ever tried to find people and ask what they know about God. He said of course in the cities people know a lot and have a lot of opinions about religion, but out in the town where he is, there are a lot of people who have never been asked or who might not be so overloaded with hearing about religion regularly in a secular/media-ized way, and so they might be more interested in coming to a church service if they find out about one, or something.
I've also had ancestors over the last 200 years who were Methodist or Presbyterian or Baptist missionaries in China or countries in South America, etc. and they worked to try to help people live healthier, and learn to read, and take care of their families better the way they wanted to.
In general, one really good book that just shows stories of the kind of thing that people do as missionaries and the kinds of miracle stories they experience is God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew.
In my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) many people submit an application to be a missionary, and on the application they do things like state how able they are to finance their own mission themselves, list what vaccinations they have received, how generally healthy they are, what foreign language or medical or other specialized knowledge they may have, and so on. If you are looking to be a missionary you might be more likely to find a church or organization to "go through" like that, so you can have good contact points and organization to support you as you travel and work.
One of my grandparents was a missionary in Uruguay, and she lived according to the culture of foreigners there at the time (having maids to cook and do her laundry; it was how things were set up then). She spent time traveling around to teach about scripture and doctrine, and to serve others, and hold religious meetings to meet people. Another grandparent spent his time living in and traveling around different parts of Texas and New Mexico. He worked on keeping groups of missionaries organized, as well as seeking out chances to meet new people and find out what they knew about God and religion, and answer their questions and ask if they would like to be baptized, and baptizing them when they were ready.
My dad spent time as a missionary in Washington D.C. and he spoke Spanish and so he mostly spent time with Spanish speakers--at that time, many of the people he found most interested in looking for more religion or being closer to God were people from El Salvador who had come to the U.S. because life in El Salvador was dangerous and hard. He worked along with other missionaries who were concentrating on English speakers or people who spoke African or Asian languages. All the missionaries who concentrated on their different language cohorts had the same leadership.
My mom spent time as a missionary in Peru learning more about how the people there lived and understanding their culture, attending religious meetings and teaching about religion in people's homes, as well as helping other missionaries who were working there understand more about what the U.S. was like and how English speakers do things that might be culturally different; and she also worked a small bit in Utah with refugees from Korea, Vietnam, and Cambodia, as many new people had recently come there from those countries where they were having unrest, and she spent time learning a little bit of how to speak the languages and going to families' homes to eat meals with them or teach their kids something about religion.
My grandparents went together to Yellowknife Canada, north of the Arctic circle, for a year one time, and lived up there getting to know people who came for international work all over the world, and making church services available on Sundays for people who wanted to attend, since there are many people up there who are only living there temporarily for a few years and it's hard to keep things like church congregations established regularly with a consistent feel. They lived next door to the building where they held services, and were in charge of making sure the buildings were maintained well in the cold weather etc. also, and they tried to keep track of people who belonged to the congregation even if those people lived or traveled hours away for months at a time, so those people could be informed if some emergency or worldwide important news happened that they might not otherwise hear about, and so they could report back to leadership in other parts of Canada how people up there were doing.
My brother spent time in Bulgaria as a missionary, and he spent time traveling a lot all over the country and trying to keep church congregations running, as it was a time that many people weren't very interested in religion but people needed a lot of help. In the years since he has come back home and gone on with his life, he's gotten to hear that the work he did, trying to keep people feeling supported and hopeful who were interested in religion back then, has helped them continue to make friends and get more people interested in the gospel over time and things are going a little better over there now.
One of my sisters went to the Oakland CA area and spent time also speaking Spanish and helping people who might be natives of the U.S. or not to be strong congregations and serve each other and help after natural disasters etc. since churches and religious groups are often the people who are most ready and prepared to help a community in tough times. She's also a singer and several times she would be asked to go sing for some service or meeting.
Another sister was actually one of the last missionaries in Ukraine before the war started in 2022, trying to help people feel more hopeful and prepared spiritually and emotionally, since people were very worried about the possibility of a war and the disruption of life. She tried to help people have a good new year's celebration, and talk to them about Christ, but people weren't usually able to be very focused on anything religious because they were preoccupied. But my sister got pulled out of Ukraine about a month before the war started, and before she left, she had gotten to make friends and hear about different people who were leaving Ukraine for other countries, and she said she was confident that the people she helped befriend would have gone to these other countries, and when it was the right time for them, God would find them in those places and they could find out more about Him as they might be more interested then.
Another brother is currently doing mission work in Brazil--he spent a lot of time in cities, serving people and mostly training other missionaries how to live the customary culture in Brazil and meet people and stay healthy, and recently he traveled to a new town very far away from big cities, and he's working right now to be some of the first missionaries who haver ever tried to find people and ask what they know about God. He said of course in the cities people know a lot and have a lot of opinions about religion, but out in the town where he is, there are a lot of people who have never been asked or who might not be so overloaded with hearing about religion regularly in a secular/media-ized way, and so they might be more interested in coming to a church service if they find out about one, or something.
I've also had ancestors over the last 200 years who were Methodist or Presbyterian or Baptist missionaries in China or countries in South America, etc. and they worked to try to help people live healthier, and learn to read, and take care of their families better the way they wanted to.
In general, one really good book that just shows stories of the kind of thing that people do as missionaries and the kinds of miracle stories they experience is God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6338
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Mallory,
Although I've never served as a missionary, my brother did in New Guinea. He and his wife ventured into the Highlands, a region inhabited by the Chimbu people. Notably, the Chimbu are known for their aggressive nature, often carrying machetes in their oversized socks.
Missionaries like my brother often found themselves in the role of peacekeepers, trying to moderate the behavior of these untamed men. These men were fiercely protective of their women and highly suspicious of newcomers. They wouldn't hesitate to kidnap people for ransom or to seize their possessions.
My brother would conduct Bible study sessions for the Highland residents, who always welcomed the presence of any visiting law enforcement officers.
However, the harsh conditions of the Highlands took a toll on my brother and his wife. They managed to survive in this stressful environment for just over a year. Even accessing basic medical care was a challenge in the New Guinea Highlands.
Despite their efforts, my brother and his wife weren't compensated for their services. It remains a topic of debate whether their voluntary biblical teachings had any substantial impact on the behavior of the native people. How God helped is that no one was cut to pieces.
You had to learn scriptures back the front. Some natives cross-examined missionaries.
May God bless you,
James Constantine Frangos.
Although I've never served as a missionary, my brother did in New Guinea. He and his wife ventured into the Highlands, a region inhabited by the Chimbu people. Notably, the Chimbu are known for their aggressive nature, often carrying machetes in their oversized socks.
Missionaries like my brother often found themselves in the role of peacekeepers, trying to moderate the behavior of these untamed men. These men were fiercely protective of their women and highly suspicious of newcomers. They wouldn't hesitate to kidnap people for ransom or to seize their possessions.
My brother would conduct Bible study sessions for the Highland residents, who always welcomed the presence of any visiting law enforcement officers.
However, the harsh conditions of the Highlands took a toll on my brother and his wife. They managed to survive in this stressful environment for just over a year. Even accessing basic medical care was a challenge in the New Guinea Highlands.
Despite their efforts, my brother and his wife weren't compensated for their services. It remains a topic of debate whether their voluntary biblical teachings had any substantial impact on the behavior of the native people. How God helped is that no one was cut to pieces.
You had to learn scriptures back the front. Some natives cross-examined missionaries.
May God bless you,
James Constantine Frangos.
Itrat Batool
fresh Graduate
9
Answers
Kuwait City, Al Asimah Governate, Kuwait
Updated
Itrat’s Answer
Hello Mallory !!
As an AI language model, I don't have personal experiences or stories to share. However, I can provide information on what missionaries often encounter and practical steps they can take to grow and prepare for their mission work.
Experiences of missionaries:
God's Provision: Missionaries often experience moments where they feel God's provision in various aspects of their lives, such as financial support, safety in challenging environments, and opportunities for ministry. These experiences can be deeply meaningful and reinforce their faith.
Easy Parts: Missionary work can be incredibly rewarding, as it allows individuals to make a positive impact on communities, share their faith, and witness transformation in people's lives. Building relationships, experiencing different cultures, and seeing the fruit of their labor can bring joy and fulfillment.
Hard Parts: Missionary work also comes with its challenges, including cultural adjustment, language barriers, homesickness, loneliness, and facing opposition or persecution. Dealing with these difficulties can be emotionally and spiritually draining, requiring resilience, perseverance, and reliance on God's strength.
Practical steps to grow and prepare as a missionary:
Develop Spiritual Disciplines: Cultivate a deep and intimate relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, worship, and fellowship with other believers. Strengthening your spiritual foundation will sustain you through the challenges of missionary work.
Cultural and Language Training: Invest in training and education to understand the culture, customs, and language of the people you will be serving. This will help you communicate effectively, build rapport, and navigate cultural differences with sensitivity and respect.
Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with a supportive community of fellow missionaries, mentors, friends, and family members who can encourage you, pray for you, and provide practical support before, during, and after your mission work.
Develop Practical Skills: Acquire practical skills and knowledge relevant to your mission field, such as teaching, healthcare, community development, or vocational training. These skills will enable you to address the needs of the community and serve effectively in your ministry.
Stay Flexible and Adaptable: Remain open to God's leading and be willing to adapt to changing circumstances, unexpected challenges, and new opportunities. Flexibility and adaptability are essential qualities for thriving in cross-cultural ministry.
Seek Mentorship and Training: Learn from experienced missionaries and seek out opportunities for mentorship, training, and ongoing professional development. Continuously seek to grow and improve in your ministry skills and leadership abilities.
By focusing on spiritual growth, cultural preparation, building a support network, acquiring practical skills, and staying flexible and adaptable, missionaries can better prepare themselves for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter in their mission work.
As an AI language model, I don't have personal experiences or stories to share. However, I can provide information on what missionaries often encounter and practical steps they can take to grow and prepare for their mission work.
Experiences of missionaries:
God's Provision: Missionaries often experience moments where they feel God's provision in various aspects of their lives, such as financial support, safety in challenging environments, and opportunities for ministry. These experiences can be deeply meaningful and reinforce their faith.
Easy Parts: Missionary work can be incredibly rewarding, as it allows individuals to make a positive impact on communities, share their faith, and witness transformation in people's lives. Building relationships, experiencing different cultures, and seeing the fruit of their labor can bring joy and fulfillment.
Hard Parts: Missionary work also comes with its challenges, including cultural adjustment, language barriers, homesickness, loneliness, and facing opposition or persecution. Dealing with these difficulties can be emotionally and spiritually draining, requiring resilience, perseverance, and reliance on God's strength.
Practical steps to grow and prepare as a missionary:
Develop Spiritual Disciplines: Cultivate a deep and intimate relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, worship, and fellowship with other believers. Strengthening your spiritual foundation will sustain you through the challenges of missionary work.
Cultural and Language Training: Invest in training and education to understand the culture, customs, and language of the people you will be serving. This will help you communicate effectively, build rapport, and navigate cultural differences with sensitivity and respect.
Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with a supportive community of fellow missionaries, mentors, friends, and family members who can encourage you, pray for you, and provide practical support before, during, and after your mission work.
Develop Practical Skills: Acquire practical skills and knowledge relevant to your mission field, such as teaching, healthcare, community development, or vocational training. These skills will enable you to address the needs of the community and serve effectively in your ministry.
Stay Flexible and Adaptable: Remain open to God's leading and be willing to adapt to changing circumstances, unexpected challenges, and new opportunities. Flexibility and adaptability are essential qualities for thriving in cross-cultural ministry.
Seek Mentorship and Training: Learn from experienced missionaries and seek out opportunities for mentorship, training, and ongoing professional development. Continuously seek to grow and improve in your ministry skills and leadership abilities.
By focusing on spiritual growth, cultural preparation, building a support network, acquiring practical skills, and staying flexible and adaptable, missionaries can better prepare themselves for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter in their mission work.