Be A Blessing To Missionaries

My husband and I have been in the ministry for over forty-three years. Many of those years were in the pastorate and for over twenty-five years we have served in missions. Gene, my husband, now serves as the president of Baptist Missions to Forgotten Peoples, headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. We constantly travel to mission conferences in churches, as well as, encouraging missionaries on their field of service. Since we see both sides of mission work, I would like to suggest to you some things that you can do to be a blessing personally and corporately as a church to missionaries around the world.

Pray for missionaries on a regular basis.

Send missionaries short notes via email. Do not forward emails!!!
 

(1). Let them know that you prayed for them.
(2). Encourage them with good news about your church and family.
(3). Ask if they have special needs to pray for.
(4). Ask about family and health of all.
(5). Get birthdays and anniversaries and send emails and e-cards for them.
 

Remember the wife and children. Do something special for them.

Visit the missionary on their mission field.

Have church send pastor, his wife and interested church families to the field to visit and encourage. Pay all expenses of trip plus extra, so not a burden to missionary. Remember that most places do not have quick meal ideas, so cooking is usually from scratch! Go to help with that too. Take the missionary family out for a treat while you are there.

Have pastor call a missionary during a service and talk to him. Keep in mind the time change.

Send ''goodie'' boxes and make all payments, (including duty), to get them to the missionary. Find out what they can't get where they are and what they like.

Send tapes, CD's, DVD's, etc. of services and special occasions. Make it personal to that missionary.

Have prophet's chambers maintained with phone and internet use (wireless, hi-speed, etc.) available for the missionaries while they are in the States.

Have a vehicle available that they can use while in the States.