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

Installment 19: Returning 3 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).”

SCHEDULING

Generally, this is not purely a vacation. Many organizations or sending fellowships expect you to do something related to your work. If this is the case, a good rule of thumb for  how to spend your time:

• 30% rest and reunion (time with family and friends and other fills like vacation)
• 30% personal growth and health (doctor’s appointments, counseling, debriefing, continuing eduction
• 40% ministry (raising support, connecting with supporters, connecting with overseas partners
• Time with friends, family, and supporters
  • Carve out time for those closest to you first, at least a month in advance
  • Then use a scheduling application like Calendy or Signup genius, or a Google doc
  • Set up as many opportunities as possible, probably three or four a day in two-hour increments with an hour for travel in between. They will not all be filled, so do not stress
  • Let people know you will hold to the times to honor those who come after, and to preserve your health and rest
  • We did not schedule over a meal because we did not want people to think we expected them to feed us.
    • Some asked to meet a bit earlier or later so that they could provide a meal, which we tried to accept whenever we could.

LOGISTICS

A few other points that may be helpful.

• Talk to friends in your passport country location to see what has changed to help minimize reverse culture shock.
• Preparing to leave, if returning
  • Lock up the house—turn off water, electricity (except refrigerator)
  • Cover furniture to keep dirt/dust off
  • Plan so that team ministries are not drastically affected
  • Have someone pay those dependent on income from you – housekeepers, tutors, building guard

ENCOURAGEMENT

Though most people will not fully understand what you have done and what your life is like, and some may be confrontational, remember whose call you followed and who you are serving. Your time in your passport country may seem too much and not long enough. These are both normal. Enjoy each day as it comes, especially as your time to return to your host country nears.

… 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

SAMPLE PRAYER

Lord, I am anxious about so much to do on my visit. Please calm my soul and help me prioritize my time and honor those I visit. Help me to reflect you to those I meet, and provide me with loving boldness with my unbelieving friends and family. Provide me renewed vision for how you will use me in my host country and refresh my zeal to serve you.

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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