Re-Entry Support
From a span of 10 years after retiring from active missionary ministry, I will share some thoughts that combine my personal experiences with the input from Neal Pirolo’s book “Serving as Senders”.
Frequently I hear reports of a military soldier experiencing PTSD after having spent time in a battlefield or wartime environment. The effects of that kind of experience can have a lasting effect. In another context, I know of two missionary colleagues who struggled with their transition to their home environment with the culminating result that they both ended up taking their own lives. I mention all this hoping you, the reader, will consider this passage of time as an important transition in the life of a career missionary.
When I read Pirolo’s book a host of memories came to my mind that were part of Pirolo’s discussion.
The shock of so much change from the time and place when you left to go to the foreign country. Nothing is the same!
- People have moved on, through career changes, marriage and family changes, even church changes.
- Financial realities are different. Working to earn a salary versus being supported by a church or friends.
- People change their views on political parties and other personal perspectives that you need to assess for yourself.
Pirolo continues with a discussion of the various attitudes a returning global partner can assume.
- Alienation
- Condemnation
- Reversion
- The ultimate escape
- Integration being the most appropriate healthy attitude to take on.
Helping your career missionary and friend navigate through this transition can be a significant ministry opportunity for you as a supportive caring friend.
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