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The Hidden Cost of Missions August 11, 2008 By Shirley
McDonald I have always
had the utmost respect for our foreign missionaries who are willing
to give up security and leave their comfort zone to take the Gospel
to foreign lands and different cultures. My parents taught me early
in life to support missionaries, as they gave sacrificially even
when they themselves were on a limited income. What a sacrifice
these families make, all the while I enjoy my creature comforts!
Yes, many years ago I helped make and sell peanut brittle to keep
my church from closing its doors. (I didn't mind making it; however,
peddling it was a severe blow to my quiet dignity!) But I was living
in America in a safe, familiar culture. An Unexpected Fee In all my support,
prayer, and admiration for the missionaries for their willingness
to sacrifice so much, I never ever considered another cost of missions--what
it costs the families who stay behind. Then my nephew and his family
accepted God's call to be missionaries to Africa. Their first appointment
was in the Associates In Missions (AIM)
program to the
island of Madagascar. Suddenly I realized
that not only do the missionaries need support and prayer, but their
parents, siblings, children, aunts, and uncles also need prayer
and support to deal with the agony of parting and not seeing their
missionary family members for such a long time. And now that
nephew Michael Benson and family are appointed to Central African
Republic (one of the most dangerous countries in the world), I know
the anxiety of wondering if they and their three children will be
physically safe as they minister to the world. When they made a
flying trip to Louisiana recently in their deputation travels, I
could not believe that Thad is as tall as me! How precious were
the hugs I gave and received, all the more so because I know that
soon they will be gone for four years. By that time, Hannah will
no longer be a teen, and Thad and Micah will have become teenagers.
And we will miss out on all those special years. Double Blow Just last month
I said goodbye to my “chosen” daughter, Farrah Bunch, as she and
her family recently left for an AIM appointment to Ireland. Again
I realized the cost to families, as I tried (unsuccessfully) not
to cry as I told them goodbye at the airport. Baby Elayna will be
walking when they come back to the States; Dawson will be a grown-up
three-year-old; Kristen has already celebrated her 16th birthday
without her Mimi! Thank God for
the Internet! I eagerly log on to the
blogs from my Ireland crew and my
deputizing
Bensons to voraciously consume every
nugget of information that I can about their lives as they fulfill
their calling. So the next
time you pray for a missionary family (and I hope you do that daily),
take time to pray for the families at home, whose arms ache to hug
the children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Their hearts are
torn between total admiration, support, and respect for their family
that has answered the call of God and is actively working for Him
and the underlying human wish that they had been called to minister
in the church down the street from us. © 2008, Shirley
McDonald --------- Shirley McDonald hopes she will see the Emerald Isle sometime this year and central Africa next year.
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