Support for Our Missionaries + A Little R & R Wednesdays - a linky party #29

Today I am excited and honored to share my blog with a wonderful friend whom I met through blogging.  It didn't take long for Misty and I to become friends.  Our blog comment "conversations" led to Facebook conversations, which led to regular Skype video chats. I sincerely hope that we will one day see each other in person! 

I was born an MK, to an MK. Missions is in my blood. My heart had no choice, but to be mission minded, for it is who my family is. My dad is 1 of 10 siblings and 4 of them have or are serving as missionaries. Many of my cousins are serving on the mission field, as 3rd generation missionaries. It is what I always thought I would be, but God had other plans for me.
Over the last year I've found myself wondering how best we can support our missionaries. Rosilind and I have even chatted about this very topic via Skype a couple of times. :) It's amazing what technology allows us to do these days. Yet, I don't think that we are utilizing it to the best of it's ability. While writing this I thought of the book series "Left Behind" and of all the amazing ways that Cameron "Buck" Williams and Chloe used technology during the Tribulation. I realize we aren't there yet, but I have no doubt that there are ways we could be using the internet, Skype, Google Hangouts, etc. that we haven't dreamed up.I am not a traditionalist, just in case the previous paragraph didn't let you know that, so as I'm sharing some ideas for raising support for our missionaries on the field, please keep that in mind. I like to think outside the box. :)
If you were to ask most Christians what they think missionaries are most in NEED of, they would likely answer prayer first, follow by money. Prayer is definitely what our missionaries need most. As for money, while I know and believe that this is very important for their survival, I also know that we serve a big God and He alone is able to provide the monies they will need.
My belief is that they need less money from us, and more support. This can be confusing because often the two words are used to mean the same thing. Yet, they actually don't have the same meaning.Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines "support" as this: "To bear; to sustain; to uphold"So how are we to support our missionaries?

 
Supporting Missionaries Individually First, I believe we as individuals must be faithful prayer partners. We must go before the throne of God, bringing their needs to Him, lifting them and their mission work up to Him in prayer.While we are spending time in prayer with the Lord, we need to be searching our hearts and seeking direction as to how we personally can reach out to our missionaries and touch their lives. 
A few ideas for supporting missionaries individually can include:Corresponding via email, snail mail, Skype, Facebook, etc. with a missionary woman/wifeHosting a weekly/monthly Ladies Mission Prayer Group in your homeCarry prayer cards for your missionaries with you as reminders to pray or share with others you meet throughout your day.Ask your Pastor if your missionary guest can speak at your church.Raising money via baked goods or jewelry sales 
Supporting Missionaries as a Church  
As a church, we need to be actively ministering and serving them from afar. There are many ways churches do this, but I believe we are missing a lot of opportunities to support them more.I love and wholeheartedly support mission conferences, but I've often seen churches that go an entire year between mission conferences without the slightest mention of those away serving throughout the year. A few of the ideas listed below would help encourage church support, as well as individual support throughout the year. 
Some ideas for church family to support missionaries may include:Monthly Missionary Focus Nights (Select one missionary your church supports to spotlight. Read their latest letter, Skype with them, write them letters, have the kids draw them pictures, pray for them, etc.)Teach children in Sunday School about past and existing missionaries. (These stories are so important for kids to hear to be inspired by all God has done and is still able to do through those of a willing heart!)Create a bulletin board with the numbers of unreached countries/people, current language numbers without a Bible translation, etc.Send out mission groups to your missionaries. (There are often projects that either need to be done or could be done for those they're seeking to reach. These projects will take much longer if done on their own. Sending a few able bodied and willing Christians will not only minister to the missionaries and those they are seeking to reach, but will also change the volunteers lives.)Reach out to the missionaries your church supports and ask them what they are in need of. Your church might be able to fulfill a need that you would not otherwise have known about.Host annual Mission Conferences 
I realize that this is not the typical, "Ways to Support a Missionary" post you'll read, but it is my heart. I believe that we can do so much more than just send them money. Money doesn't touch their hearts, it doesn't encourage them to press on toward the mark, it doesn't let them know they are loved, missed and prayed for. Money does provide, and I am not trying to discourage anyone from giving financially. Yet, I believe that at times Christians send money because we feel it is the only way we can support our missionaries and I KNOW we can do so much more!I pray that this post has encouraged you to seek the Lord and His direction for you to personally support those on the mission field. May your heart be open to whatever "out of the box" ideas God gives you! 



  Do you have a question related to missions?  Feel free to contact me via email, comment below or visit my Facebook page to ask your question.  It will be featured here during our fall Answer the Call series!




 
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Linking up with some these blogs:
M: Motivation Monday, Gracelaced Mondays, Playdates at the Wellspring, Mom's the Word; Matrimonial Mondays, Momma Notes  T: Time Warp Wife, Titus2 Tuesdays, Women Helping Women, Mercy Ink, Character Corner W: Women Living Well, Wisdom Wednesday, Wholehearted Wednesdays, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Deep Roots at Home, My Daily Walk In His Grace Th: Hearts For Home, Thrive at Home, Serving Joyfully, I Choose Joy F: Faith Filled Friday, TGIF Fridays, Faithful Fridays, Christian Fellowship FridayClick HERE to find out how you can receive a copy of my book 14 Days of Agape for free and purchase Worship the Father and Discovering True Identity .