Thriving in Cross-Cultural Ministry – RETURNING (Furlough or Home Leave) 2 of 3

Installment 18: Returning 2 of 3

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

 – Hebrews 13:2

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.

– Anonymous, attributed (erroneously) to St. Francis of Assisi

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.

If you would like to see more in this series, visit bit.ly/4aXWTjQ.

This section will be especially helpful for one’s first visit to their passport country after a year or longer on the field. Some organizations call this “furlough”, others “home leave,” and others a “home ministry assignment (HMA).”

PLANNING YOUR VISIT

If your time in your passport country is a  month or longer, it may sound like you will have time in abundance, but it will pass surprisingly fast. Benjamin Franklin’s statement is appropriate for your preparation time, “Those who fail to plan, are planning to fail.” If you are not a planner, ask for help from a friend or supporter who is.

Consider a planning retreat where you take a few days away from your normal context and spend half of the time with a calendar scheduling visits and the other half relaxing.

• Arrange for a debrief before you go or soon after arrival – someone needs to hear your story, and most in your home country will not have the capacity to listen.
  • Consider a residential debriefing center.
• Schedule medical exams and tests well in advance (at least 6 months)
• Schedule appointments for children
  • If they have sensory issues, consider an evaluation for sensory integration and begin treatment, including a plan that you can do on the field.
  • If speech is delayed, consider an evaluation with a speech therapy center.
  • Older children may need to schedule separate time with their friends.

• For your speaking arrangements
  • You do not need to memorize a long speech, but do not be unprepared.
  • Practices until you are at least 10% under the allotted time.
  • DO NOT GO OVER TIME!
  • Your audience doesn’t need to know everything you know.
  • Limit anecdotes and stories. Leave those for individual or small group interactions.

• Three to four months prior to departure
  • If you have a pastor or advocacy team, send them your tentative schedule for feedback.
  • Set up necessary Dr. Appointments
  • If you are U.S. based and will return at least once a year, apply for Global Entry
  • Schedule any trips/vacations before they fill
  • Fill in any organization or church-required forms

• Two to three months prior to departure
  • Book flights/hotelsConfirm appointments and vacation plans
  • Work with your church, sending agency, family, and advocacy team for lodging, car, other needs
  • Notify your pastor of your return
  • Start a list of things you need to get from the U.S. (e.g., in a Google Doc or on your phone)
  • Set one-on-one meetings with those with whom you most want to meet, including major supporters
    • Also consider small affinity groups (people who know each other) to reduce the number of visits you need to make
  • If you send a regular newsletter, ask for any financial support you need, either one-time for travel expenses or ongoing needs
  • Ask those who support you already if their financial situation has changed such that they could increase you at a higher level
  • Ask your supporters for names of others who might be interested in supporting you
  • Update your support presentation
  • Have a small gift or card from your host country to take with you for support visits

• One month before you leave
  • Schedule group events and invite supporters and others
  • Repeat your support ask, if necessary.
  • Buy gifts for family/supporters/hosts
    • These do not need to be large or expensive
    • People tend to love small, inexpensive, handmade, local items, such as coasters
  • Prepare to leave your current location
  • If you will not return, ensure you have good goodbyes. Assume each time with a person will be your last with them
  • If you will return to your same home
    • Make financial arrangements for local providers depending on income, even if not the full value of the service they provide you.
    • Locals may depend on the income from you
    • Arrange to leave your key with someone who will check on your house occasionally
    • If you have exterior blinds, close them.

• Two weeks before you leave
  • Remind people to sign up for your group and one-on-one/small group events
  • Pay any bills that will come due in your absence, if you cannot pay them remotely

Next in the series: Scheduling

… so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. – Romans 12:5

Memories are links in a golden chain that bind us until we meet again. – Jacqueline Winspear

Please share your thoughts on this topic in the full document: bit.ly/4doFRgZ .

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

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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