Departing: Leaving a Long-Term Host Country (3 of 3)
Thriving in Cross-Cultural Ministry Installment 22: Departing (3 of 3)
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven
– Ecclesiastes 3:1
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.
– C.T. Studd
Please help me select a title for the book these articles will become: forms.gle/hiqWxPkcW5bh4e8e6
Reminder: Your fellowship, sending organization, or team may not align with my advice. Trust your leaders as you respectfully share what you learn.
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LOGISTICS
- Arrange a place to stay for a few months well before you leave
- Arrange for a car for a month or so until you can purchase one
- Prepare to return your home to your landlord or sell it
- Find out what is expected well in advance, and compare notes
- You may have to pay to have it painted or have repairs made
- Arrange to have final bills paid (utility, etc.)
- Confirm your baggage counts and prepare to pay for excess baggage, if necessary
- Follow the same schedule as the “Leaving” chapter for packing
- If you have some sort of long-term visa, determine what is required to cancel it
ENCOURAGEMENT
Your departure may make you sad, or glad, or relieved, or disappointed, or depressed, or some or all of those. This is normal. Even if you leave a robust ministry which you started or supported, you may feel like a failure for leaving. You may feel disloyal to local friends when you decide to leave an untenable situation because you have options others do not. You may feel guilty that you are excited to leave, and your grace for what you do not like may have faded long before you left. This is where a good debriefing will help you to process your loss and grief, even working through hidden losses like respect, relationships, and purpose.
– Psalm 27:23
The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way …
– John Piper
God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.
SAMPLE PRAYER
Lord, I am confused. I want to follow you to the ends of the earth, but this chapter is closing. Please preserve my joy in you alone, and help me glorify you by my satisfaction in you. Please go before me in this transition, that I can honor you in my next position, home, and community.
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Reliant or any other entity with which he is affiliated.
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This article is part of a series. For prior articles, resources, and the author’s biography, visit bit.ly/4aXWTjQ
Books by this author: www.dharakalauthor.org
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Eenigenburg, Sue and Eva Burkholder, Grit to Stay Grace to Go
- Young, Amy, Looming Transitions: Starting and Finishing Well in Cross-Cultural Service
This article is submitted by Reliant. Reliant is a Missio Nexus member. Member organizations can provide content to the Missio Nexus website. See how by clicking here.
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