For a missionary, life in their country of service can look very different than life in America. This lifestyle can sometimes be isolating and can become mentally and physically exhausting. As a result, it is important for missionaries to have the opportunity to go back to their home country to visit family and friends, rest, and share the work and fruit of their ministry. This time can be really fun and exciting, but it can also be really overwhelming and expensive.
In order to encourage those who spend their lives in service to others, we’ve compiled a list of some unique ways to serve a missionary family when they are home for a visit or on furlough! May the Lord guide you as you seek to serve one of his dear servants.
Hand-me-downs
Depending on where missionaries live, clothing can be expensive. Often it’s expensive AND poor quality. We have been incredibly blessed by gently used clothing (for our kiddos or for us as adults)! Just be sure to ask about needs and sizes before dumping bags of giveaways at their doorstep – the last thing we want is to give sent-out families another big task to do while in the States!
English Books
In many countries, quality English books can be very expensive and/or hard to find. Have your kids outgrown their books? They can choose books to gift to missionary kids. (Again, it’s most helpful to ask the family first – books are heavy, so they may not be able to take tons with them! Sometimes we leave books in the US to enjoy while on furlough.) Another idea is an Amazon gift card for e-books!
Date Night or Babysitting
Every parent can be blessed by quality time with their spouse! Can you imagine moving to a new country and not having any person to trust with the care of your children (meaning no date nights or breaks)? While in the States, bless a missionary couple with gift cards for dinner, cash to hire a babysitter or even a hotel for a night! Sometimes families can stay with relatives who are giddy to be with their kids, but other times they may need you to step in and enjoy time with their children!
Services: doctor, dental, chiropractor, auto repair
Fixing our vehicles where we live is relatively inexpensive- dental care too! When we come to the States it is a heavy burden on our budget if we need a cavity filled or even a check-up for the kids. What talents and services has God given you that you can offer to a missionary family for free or at a discount? Medical care, dental care, chiropractic adjustments, auto repairs, haircuts … the possibilities are endless!
Celebrate! Baby shower, birthday party…
Across the world different cultures celebrate milestones in special, but different, ways! Part of the missionary’s goal is to be a part of that culture and celebrate like they do! Sometimes we still long for a celebration that feels like home. Find out what events or celebrations are coming up for the family and throw a baby shower or birthday party! If they’re still overseas, gather others from your church to put together a package of things they need (don’t forget streamers and balloons!).
Gas gift cards, RV, travel, hotel points
Traveling is a large component of a furlough trip to America to visit family and ministry partners in many states and cities! Travel costs really add up. Traveling with kids can take longer, be more expensive and prove to be a challenge when staying in different places each night. Gas gift cards are an easy gift! Think outside the box too – maybe you have an RV that the missionaries could take on their journey, an extra vehicle they can use, or hotel or airline points to donate.
Experiences – take them as a guest to a museum, pool, science center, etc.
We love coming to the States and experiencing museums, science centers or amusement parks that we don’t have overseas. A lot of these fun adventures can be pricey, so you can take them as a guest with your membership or gift the admission for a fun family day!
Prayer Meeting or Going Away Blessing
Spiritual darkness is real and still deeply felt while taking a time of rest in the States. What an encouragement to host a time of prayer and blessing over a missionary family! This could be as intimate and low-key as 5 people gathered together in someone’s home, or a larger group ready to hear stories from the field – along with food, fellowship, and prayer. This is so important to the longevity of ministry!
Vacation or place to stay
Do you have a condo, second home or hotel points to gift a missionary? What a joy it would be to enjoy a vacation without worrying about the cost. Sometimes missionaries may need a place to call home for a little while – a basement apartment or guest house could be a short-term haven!
Paper products
A basket of paper products (think the basics like plates, cups, paper towels, etc) can be a huge help when a family is about to leave for the mission field or when they’re back for a short visit. You can give them the small freedom of less dirty dishes, which leaves more time for fellowship, rest and family time!
Give them an opportunity to share what God is doing!
Many times missionaries come to the States to continue raising financial support. You can host an event where they can share what God is doing in the culture and country where they serve. It’s most helpful if you can plan and provide the details like location or food, including inviting others to come, so that the missionary can spend time preparing their stories and just show up to share!
ASK – and mean it! Make sure to follow up
Often people say to us, “Let us know how we can help!” Either we are too embarrassed to ask for what we really need, or we can’t put words to what might encourage us. Unexpected blessings like having a meal dropped off, finding gift cards in the mail or being treated to dinner with friends have been incredibly uplifting! We love it when friends from church stop us to really ask how we are doing and how they can pray.
We all have an assignment in The Lord’s great rescue plan to see all peoples on earth praise His name! What a privilege! We cannot do this alone. Not everyone will go overseas, and not everyone will stay in their home country. How can we pray for, encourage and serve one another while we are in the places where God has called us?