Home. So much meaning can be felt in this one word. While most of us have heard and believe sayings such as “home is where the heart is,” there are also some elements of security, stability, and familiarity that we long to experience when relocating to a foreign land.

Living and ministering as a missionary in bush Alaska has its hardships and difficulties. You learn many new skills and things you never had to do before. Such as how never to leave the snow trail in spring.

When pursuing missions as a 22-year-old, a big concern I had was my ongoing struggle with depression. Even though dark thoughts plagued me on and off since early high school, I never talked about them with anyone. I remember one summer day before my sophomore year of high school, looking out my bedroom window and feeling despair settle over me.

As children and parents alike enjoy this season of dress up and goodies, it is easy to relegate the spiritual realm to child's play. This past year held two examples of the varied, yet futile tactics of our enemy to prevent God’s Kingdom advances.

We came to Thailand with the long-term plan to join a church planting team to reach the Shan people with the gospel. Because we only moved here about a year ago, our current focus is learning the language and culture and settling into our new life and community here. These are important days of learning and preparation that are laying the foundation for the ministry God has prepared for us in the years to come.

The paths into cross-cultural ministry can be as unique and varied as the people who God calls to serve him in his global harvest. The Holy Spirit knows us and knows how to move in his followers as they contemplate cross-cultural service. David knew this and marveled,

We asked SEND missionaries to reflect on the lessons they've learned over the course of their service. Specifically: "Looking back, what is one piece of advice you'd give yourself if you were starting off as a new missionary again?" Their responses provide insightful perspectives for those embarking on missionary work.

A few weeks ago, we attended an international conference for those working with Muslims. We heard many wonderful stories of Muslims coming to Christ. One attendee shared, “I have had several Muslims who recently came to our city call me, saying they heard I was a Christian and asking me if I would disciple them!” This was amazing to hear! We rejoiced together as we were reminded of God’s ability to draw people from the kingdom of darkness into his wonderful light.

My wife and I were just a couple of months away from leaving for home service when the above post from the Operation Japan Prayer Facebook page captured my attention. Around this time, COVID had significantly reduced our ministries with D House interns unable to enter Japan. Most outreach activities in our house and our church were canceled for the foreseeable future.

How Missions has Changed Over the Last 30 Years in Japan 

Bringing True Healing

“What is one way our audience can be praying for your ministry, team, or family?”

By a member of SEND Diaspora | North America team.

By a member of SEND’s Romania | Europe team

By a SEND missionary in Eurasia If you close your eyes and try to picture a map of the world, you might see, in your mind’s eye, the continents of the world, the giant land masses of Asia, Africa, South America, and so on. Or maybe you can visualize a few big countries like China, Nigeria, Ukraine, India, Brazil, or France. But can your mind’s eye picture the complex interconnection of multiple cultures, peoples, and languages that make up hundreds of local communities all over the globe? What a swirling interwoven masterpiece that is! These culturally complex communities and people movements are global realities that our God sees, and that He can use for His glory.

One Couple’s Choice to Stay, Welcome, Invite, and Love

It was the middle of the month of Ramadan, and it was hot in the Central Asian country we were living in. We were out shopping for materials to make a set of clothes. As we walked into the next open shop, we looked around but saw no one. A fan was running in the back, rotating 90 degrees in an endless motion of back and forth. We called out and said hello, but no one answered. We assumed the shopkeeper had just stepped out for a minute, so we continued looking for materials around the shop.

People often have misconceptions about missionary life (for example, that missionaries are spiritual giants evangelizing 100% of the time and seeing many people come to Christ quickly). In actuality, our missionaries are ordinary Christians seeking to be faithful followers of Jesus as they minister to those around them.

Please join us in praying on the first Friday of every month for those in the Muslim community to find the beauty of Christ in their lives. By a member of SEND Diaspora | North America team.

It's always special to meet young interns and prepare them for their work in the field. It takes a lot of courage to go and live in a remote area thousands of miles away from home. Our sending offices and sending partner organizations prepares them well, and we at SEND North—a receiving area—provide them with support they need while they are on the field.

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One of the primary challenges for missionaries is adapting to a new culture. Language barriers, unfamiliar customs, and social norms can create a sense of isolation. Ways to Overcome:

By a member of SEND’s Diaspora | North America team Resettlement Adjustments Beyond Language

By a member of Team Hope in Southeast Asia | Asia Across the river from the village where Team Hope had been working lay a secluded community known for its strict privacy and long-standing isolation. Access to this insulated area was granted only upon receiving an invitation from someone within. Our opportunity for engagement arose through a welcome d encounter.

By a member of SEND North | North America Some of us who have served a long time in missions have been asked to share how God called us in the hopes that a younger generation can relate to this, at least in part, and respond to God’s call for their lives. I’m not sure many will relate to my story, but perhaps you will, so here goes.

First H oliday Away From Home