Special Topics: International Missions

This is a special topic post for those who consider spreading the good news of Jesus with people of other cultures. This can be done in your current country among immigrants, or it can be done internationally. My experience comes from living in Guatemala and Switzerland and also working among immigrants in the USA.

Living internationally is a very difficult experience that requires a lot of emotional support from your loved ones. You never understand how much your culture means to you until it is taken away. You never understand how much your family and friends mean to you. You never understand how much your national infrastructure, such as roads, internet and grocery chains mean to you. You might believe that these things aren't really a part of your core identity, but you're just wrong. :D

Here are some things I've learned. Don't go alone. Perhaps you have an idea of a lone ranger who goes out and saves the world. Guess what! The apostles were sent out by Jesus in twos. This was a genius move on Jesus' part, because those apostles supported each other physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Loneliness is a deadly enemy that can easily ensnare expats into sin.

I've counseled a few folks who fell into sin while serving alone as missionaries. Because of the traumatic effects of culture shock that come from having your entire support system torn away from you, it is necessary to have a partner to care for you and for you to care for them.

I've made the mistake of believing my culture was better than others, as well. You really have to go in understanding that people are people. There will be things that really irk you about the way people do things, but you aren't better than them. There will be sin that people do in that culture, and those will need to be addressed, but it must be done Scripturally, not through the cultural mores of America or whatever you nationality may be. The first book you should read is American Ways, by Gary Althen, available at Amazon.com or other retailers. It is a book designed for immigrants coming to the USA, but reading it will show you how different your culture is from the rest of the world. It's the first step in shedding ethnocentrism.

Read about other cultures in order to have a cursory understanding before you go. Please note that no book will prepare you to adapt to another culture, but it can help you understand that there will be differences that you might misinterpret. Use resources lightly, but use them. Don't go on stereotypes. A great series of books available at Amazon.com or other sites is called "Culture Shock". See if there is one written for the country to which you wish to go, for example, Thailand. The Kindle versions usually run about $6. 

Culture shock isn't just the title of a book series, it's a psychological phenomenon that happens to people changing their physical location. It happens to people moving from one state to the next, although it is cushioned because of the common culture. Moving long-term to another country and culture can be devastating. At first, there is a honeymoon period where everything seems amazing about your new home. Then there is a period where you hate everything about a culture, and it is very difficult to go through with grace. My shock trigger is either illness or a haircut. Haircuts, I find, are extremely intimidating when you can't speak the language of your barber, plus there is a risk of HIV with unsanitary barbers. If you get past this, you adapt and find your personal identity in the culture, seeing the good and the bad and becoming a member of society.

The hardest part of international living may be finding a place in the culture. The role of a missionary is an awkward one, especially when making introductions. "Why are you here?" is a question oft-asked of expats.

Saying you are a missionary gets a lot of bad or even odd reactions. I was called a Mormon frequently. I was also thought to be a Mennonite because I tried to dress like the local men, complete with fedora and tweed jacket. Fortunately, I worked as an English teacher, so I had a place in the society. There are other ways to be legitimate. The medical field and international business offer a lot of opportunities to take a proper place in a different culture. 

Some, if not most, are hostile to the idea of a Christian missionary coming to them. It is very important to consider how you will fit, because people will judge you by your role, whether you like it or not.