Imagine packing everything up to move – not just to another house — but to another country. Imagine moving to a place where you know no one, don’t speak the language, and don’t understand how anything works (where to buy groceries? how to read the labels of the packages on the shelves?).
Culture shock is real. Sent Ones have to learn a new language and adapt to a new culture. Even if there is a team of colleagues on the ground, there’s no way around the mental and emotional adjustments that must be made.
But there’s another challenge. Loneliness is also real.
God uses a sense of calling and a love for the lost to get Workers to the Field. Once they arrive, It doesn’t take long until things begin to feel disconnected from family and friends. Surrounded by thousands, perhaps millions of people, feelings of isolation can quickly turn into a spiritual attack.
Some things help (texts, FaceTime calls, emails, etc.) but Sent Ones quickly realize they have to find a new normal in their new culture. Many miles and time zones separate them from what they once knew.
Aren’t they supposed to be strong? They’ve finally arrived at the place they’ve talked about for months. Often they don’t know how to ask for help from people “back home” in the States. That’s why we are helping people like you to establish Sending Teams. Simply put, Sending Teams (Care Teams) find ways to stay in touch. They coordinate the support from home that provides care on the field.
Although we may have opportunities to do new things through technology, Sending is not a new thing. For example, in the late 1700s William Carey was sent out as the first missionary from England. His friend, Andrew Fuller, stepped into the role of Sender: directing and maintaining the work at home. Carey had said “I will go down if you will hold the rope.” Fuller committed that while Carey lived, they would never let go of the rope.
Sent Ones (field Workers) need Senders (people like you) to hold the rope.
What do Sending Teams do? Let’s talk about your next step. Check out the Tool Kit on the following page.