This is the final posting in a series on how I became a full-time missionary to Western Europe. Click for “Part 1: My Backstory”, “Part 2: Ashes in My Mouth”, “Part 3: Learning the Ropes”, and “Part 4: You’re Nuts”.
Originally we understood entry as missionaries into our part of Western Europe as a matter-of-fact situation. Check in, show documents, everything’s okay. But when our immigration officer expressed suspicion about our motives and revealed changes in immigration rules, it seemed as if everything about our ministry was about to collapse. Had we been wrong all along?
At one of our last interactions, my mother had asked if we had a “Plan B” for, you know, when it doesn’t work out—her words. I thought she meant different ways of entering the country under various situations (student, employee, etc.). She meant something more specific: move back to our hometown, get “normal” jobs, and never leave the country again. “Come on, it’s very likely you won’t like it ,and you need to have a plan when it doesn’t.”
“We don’t have a ‘Plan B’” was our response. Missions was the plan, but if it had to evolve and change from our first attempts, so be it. God was directing us, so there was no need for a “Plan B” as she defined it. Realise that I do believe God encourages levels of planning and preparation for future issues, but hers was an encouragement to stop following God’s direction. We just weren’t going to do it.
In the end, we just had to be patient with our officer, who has become much more trusting after seeing us over the years. But that doesn’t mean that Satan didn’t stop throwing what he could at us to discourage our trust in God. Substantial funds fell away, and the dollar lost a huge amount of strength. Our reputation was unfairly damaged by a jealous Christian. Meanwhile, fellow missionaries dropped like flies around us, and cracks began to show in our marriage.
I know now why a lot of people run back home and away from ministry (and sometimes, unfortunately, away from God), but we refused. Romans 8:37 kept coming up, we were more than conquerors, and I had heard it once said that we “conquer by continuing”. There can be times that we are supposed to stop going in a direction, but God had set this in our hearts so firmly, that we began to see the attacks as arrows from the Enemy trying to keep us off balance. We kept praying, sought Christian counsel, and surrounded ourselves with those who also believed in what we are doing today.
It is not easy. It is not remotely glamourous. It is the most challenged I have ever been and continue to be. But if God is truly calling you to the mission field somewhere, I can definitely encourage you to become a missionary.
Related posts:
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How I Became a Missionary, Part 4: You’re Nuts
How I Became a Missionary, Part 3: Learning the Ropes
How I Became a Missionary, Part 2: Ashes in My Mouth
Wow! This is an amazing story. I was in Germany for two months and just got back a few weeks ago. I was to go and do a Disciple Training School to learn how to become a missionary, and I wondered if I should become a missionary but while I was there I really felt God called me to the Muslims in Europe. But then due to some circumstances I had to return early and could not finish the DTS, I felt the trip to Germany has become more of a fact finding trip rather than a training trip. After coming back to Taiwan I wanted to continue the Discipleship training School here but I was not able to and I prayed about doing it in March, and later I felt God said that I need to learn to trust him and I need to be away from home (Taiwan or the States) to be able to do that. Then I emailed the base director at Lutsk, Ukraine about the DTS and he prayed about it and felt it was right for me to do a DTS there in January. Unfortunately some of my closest friend are not all that supportive about it, the response I get from them is more of a “you’re nuts”. I know they got a point but I really feel if God spoke of it and he tells me to go there then he’ll make it work out.
@Tai: Thank you for your comment. While I’m sorry you’ve experienced certain attitudes from others, I’m afraid it’s more normal than most of us realise. God Bless you as you seek His guidance, and if He is leading you, then you’re not nuts.
thank you so much for sharing your story. my husband and I are in the very early stages of becoming missionaries. VERY early. I have felt the calling for almost 10 years but had denied it b/c i am married and have two children. i never thought my hubby would go for it but he is totally on board. i think God just had to get us both to the right place. Thank you for your insight. I must be honest when i picture a missionary i do think living in huts in Central America eating rice and beans..haha. As I explore missionary blogs I realize it is much more. At fir the idea of being a missionary in Europe seemed too “tourist” to me. Just being honest. However I am realizing it is much more. thank you so much!
@Heather: Thanks for your honesty.
Good for you.
Seriously.
I’ve been enjoying your blog over the last few days and decided to read this 5 part post. I’m glad I did. Though it may sound funny I’m a big fan now. I’m a returned missionary after 7 years in SE Asia and now trying to get things going in business. Kindof reverse from your situation except nowhere near as successful unfortunately. Lol. Anyway I’d love to share my experiences with you over a cup of coffee some day. Once again, good for you.
@Mission Trips: Thank you!