Many go into missions for all the wrong reasons. Let me be very clear here…being a missionary should not be because you love to travel, want to fill your passport full of stamps, or want to take pictures for your Instagram feed and “influencer” portfolio. If that is what you want to do, GO! Travel! Fill that passport! Flood Instagram with your amazing pictures and influence the world. Do that! Even better, while you are traveling, share the Gospel! You should be doing that anyway. Like no matter where you are. But for the love, don’t Trojan horse your wanderlust desires into the beautifully wrapped gift called “missions”. It’s manipulative, deceptive, and just gonna put it out there, a lie. 

However, for those of you that legitimately feel led to go onto the mission field, I have 10 basic tips for you. They are a bit preliminary in the sense that even if you take to heart these 10, you should still seek out preparation. These tips may seem basic at first glance, so take your time, honestly assess your heart, and from there pray about if you still think it’s for you.

Without further ado: 

1. Love God…really…and deeply

This may seem very obvious, but over the years, we have seen many people come through on teams, as short term interns, etc, and it is absolutely shocking how many people are “doing” things for God but have zero clues about Him. A phony is totally obvious, and let me say this loudly for all those in the back. EVERYONE KNOWS. You potentially could do more harm than good if you don’t have this on lock. For that reason, it’s coming in at #1.

There must be a deep conviction in your heart and soul for integrity, faithfulness to Him and the mission, it’s called character. I could go on. This is so essential. The mission field is not for someone who is just barely hanging on by a thread and hoping this will save them. The deal is, missions is freaking hard. You are in a different world, different language, no family, no present support system, the financial support of other. The external pressures are enough to crush you if you are suffering internal pressures as well. 

This is a non-negotiable. Loving God means actively pursuing Him in every way. Do that. We have not arrived, we lean into Him more each day for grace, mercy, forgiveness, etc, but the inside must be strong and at peace so that when storms come, and they will, you will demonstrate to all around you what being built on the rock looks like. 

2. Love others…like more than yourself

You know how in the Bible there are M U L T I P L E scriptures of us putting others, their needs, their convictions before our own? So that is because it’s important. If you love God (see #1) then the next logical thing we ever need to do is love others, mostly because Jesus says it is the most important thing. And while I can say many things, Matt 26:30-40 should be enough.

Truthfully, I do think people want to love others, but the depth of what that means and looks like is a little vague for most, so Jesus says “love your neighbor as you love yourself”. Maybe I’ll do another blog soon on this alone, but for now, look at how you are taking care of yourself and pursuing God and excellence. Think about how you WANT to be treated, loved, cared for…could you say that you pursue others that way? Don’t be too quick to say yes.

3. Be a normal human

I think humanity, in general, is weird. We do the strangest things in an attempt to fit in or experience something. So we go to google, to search out the oft skewed perspective of others on a particular culture, and then we replicate that behavior. 

Likewise, we do that with missions. We google: What does a missionary do? How do they talk? How can I be one? Listen. You are who you are where you are. You will NOT change just because you become a missionary. Being a missionary will not “save” you. In fact, I would go as far as to say, that you could be a “missionary” by title and still not even have a relationship with the Lord. 

On a spiritual level, just don’t be weird. Desire God. Seek to serve Him. Tell others about Him. Jesus drew others in by His love, kindness and the hope He gave. Do that.

4. Be humble & teachable

A subtle and yet overwhelmingly common trend among North Americans who go to the mission field is to think that you are God’s answer for these people, the holy one, and if you don’t go, they won’t hear the Word of God. Let’s be clear here, God has no problem replacing someone who doesn’t heed the call. 

God has been around since for-ebruary. He speaks to whomever He desires including whatever people group you are serving. They hear from Him just like you. There is no place on earth that the Holy Spirit cannot invade. There is a good chance that going onto the mission field, especially in the beginning (but hopefully forever), will change your life the most. You will learn all the things that are disgusting in your heart, expose all the wounds you never took the time to heal, and face the immaturity you have hid so well. 

Let it happen. Learn, be humble. Take time to prepare yourself before going.

5. The mission is ALWAYS pointing people to Jesus.

It’s human nature that one would go onto the mission field and begin thinking of all the things they can do to reach people. The plan is made, the vision is cast, and the quest for getting people in to fill the empty space of an idea begins. Intentions are pure, but ego hits at some point when you realize it’s not producing enough results to yield substantial financial support so you begin to see what else you can do, fluff.

The problem is that often times, your efforts are then motivated by results: what draws crowds, produces numbers, and eventually you will find yourself far from the call of a missionary and simply put, working within “humanitarian” efforts that eludes to God just enough to win the Christian support but also not too much as to lose the support of secular/government organizations. 

The mission can’t be focused on generating finances, notoriety, numbers. If any potential supporter ever puts you in a position to produce those things, run from any penny they want to throw at the mission. God is not for sale.

You can have 100s of people in your programs, classes, etc, but if none of them are sincerely transformed by the love of Jesus Christ nor in contact with the Holy Spirit every time they walk into your doors, what are you really doing. Jesus HAS to be the focus of the mission.

6. Be present

In this day and age, the pressure to be a social media superstar can be overwhelming. The trap of believing that people need to see you are in fact doing “holy” things is a strong one. The problem is that if you are constantly behind a camera to deliver a moving news feed of what appears to be poor dirty children and destitute families then when are you actually ministering to said children and families?

What you can be sure of is that you have made the locals feel like they are on display for you to show your first-world friends how “great” you are for going to the least of these, when the actual point was to restore them to right relationship with their maker; introduce them to the lover of their soul who desires for them to live spiritually whole lives. That requires real conversations, listening to them, walking with them…truly. Be present in their real lives. Active in discipleship. Not because you need to keep up appearances but because you have a deep conviction to see them come to know the Lord intimately. 

7. Know your mission

Let me preface this with, “you don’t have to know the ENTIRE vision before you leave home”.  For example, we came to Costa Rica because we KNEW God was leading us here. But when we arrived in Costa Rica, we had no idea why. So, we served every ministry we could find here our first few years. We knew we needed to learn many things, namely what is God already doing here and who is doing it? Maybe the call for you isn’t to start anything new at all. Maybe it’s to serve a ministry faithfully with a special skill and passion you have. Through doing those things, He will stir up a vision in your heart. 

The point here is, be obedient. Serve others faithfully until God speaks, then write that vision down with as many details as possible so that when the enemy comes to distract you with all the “good things” & creative ideas, you will know that maybe it isn’t God at all. 

Remember, the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), and he already knows that if you have gotten as far as being a missionary, he most likely can’t steal your relationship with the Lord, so he will distract you enough to steal your vision, kill the mission, and destroy the purpose God has for you with his people. Stay focused. 

8. Be aware of the enemy who will ALWAYS use stupid junk to try to take you out.

I don’t like to give much attention to the enemy but the reality is “your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Don’t let it be you. When it comes to living abroad, some legalities, laws, and details could be the difference between a lifetime on the mission field or being sent home with your chances of returning being taken from you. Now THAT is something the enemy would do.

You must do your due diligence to make sure you are there legally, within the law regarding your length of stay/visa, finances, driving, health, etc. If the enemy can’t accomplish what John 10:10 says, he’ll move onto the boring details that you can’t control. A simple oversight, a day over your visa, a driving accident, etc.  (Rom 13:1)

Another aspect of this is knowing your deepest weakness: anger, fear, etc because the enemy will go there. He will prey on those weaknesses to make you want to go back home away from this terrible place that you just can’t bear to be anymore. #CultureShock

From experience, the enemy is relentless with this one. He has used fear for my or my children’s safety and well being and even potential street fights. The Lord immediately brought this to mind and we had to exercise ultimate self-control and rely on the Holy Spirit to avoid a situation that could have landed us in jail and sent back to the States. 

9. BE FAITHFUL & ethical

Being in a place alone without oversight may not seem like a problem until you find yourself in a situation where you probably needed it. You may not have anyone there to tell you to stick it out, stay put, be faithful, but a basic fundamental of Christianity is reflecting the character of God through our lives. One of those characteristics is God’s faithfulness. Be faithful. Don’t ministry hop. Have integrity, don’t be flaky. In order to have a future of fruitfulness in the ministry, you need to represent Jesus well in the local community. 

If you feel that God has given you a specific ministry focus, you should spend time seeing if that is already happening in the area. If so, go meet them, see what they are doing. Maybe God would have you serve them and use your talents to bring the vision to life. If not, consider doing your ministry in a different area as to not bring conflict and maintain an alliance working together at times. 

10. Be these things WHERE YOU ARE.

Ultimately, none of the things matter on the mission field if you are not already doing them where you are. These things are all required of us no matter where you are on the map. 

1. Loving God
2. Loving people
3. Being a normal human
4. Being humble & teachable
5. Pointing people to Jesus
6. Being present
7. Knowing your mission/purpose
8. Being aware of the enemy’s tactics
9. Being faithful & ethical 
10. Being you, wherever you are

There is no better place to be doing these things in your hometown. Once you can master them there, if you feel God leading you abroad…short term or long term…then do it. But not until you know that you are not going to have to google how to be a missionary again ;)*

Recycling is like ridiculously popular here in Costa Rica (maybe in your part of the world too), or “reusing” I should say. My kids come home daily asking me if we can make XYZ out of some old cans.

…Like watchu think this is…an episode of Hoarders? (side-eye duck face)

#trust…I throw out recycle any “old cans” as soon as the last drop of whatever it is hits my mouth. But also, I don’t drink anything in a can soooooo, there’s that. Well, except that one time after Hurricane Katrina when the National Guard gave us water in a can, but I digress…

Anyway, these kids are so dang resourceful. I’ll find “works of art” all over the backs of doors, computer cases, walls…

But sometimes I find these “works of art” around my house, they proudly begin to explain how they crafted this janky art piece using what minimal tools and supplies they had.

Catch this…

• They didn’t ask to use the garbage…they saw it & immediately recognized it as a tool
• They didn’t ask to stick it to my wall…they saw the glue or push pins or string or whatever else (eye roll) as an opportunity to hang their art like it was something beautiful
• They didn’t cry about not having any opportunities to make art (insert anything else here: serve, love, meet a need)…They just did it…they L I T E R A L L Y didn’t ask…just F R E A K I N G did it.

Now, if you come to my house, I can totes take you on a tour of my art gallery home because my hoarder sentimental son displays his “creations” made out of anything he can find…A N Y T H I N G he can find and then displays them on his shelf (in his room of course) for all to see.

Clearly, I’m not suggesting you rummage any recycle bins or anything, but if that’s your jam, then do you boo boo.

Often, while working with teams that come here to Costa Rica, many people will say “This is so amazing, I wish I could do this where I am from, but…”.

The reality is that YOU CAN and YOU SHOULD be doing it where you are from.

Let’s look at the Bible. In Exodus 4 we see Moses actin a hot mess, like us most of the time, crying about nobody will listen to me blah blah blah. Then God asks Moses “What is that in your hand?”…and God’s like let me do a demo right quick of what you gonna do with this stick right here, son and in verse 17 says “And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”

…Why do we even question? Why do we act lost or confused or presume that God forgot to give us a talent when He was passing those out?

In 1 Peter 4:10-11, it says:

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

So, I’ll ask again, what is you doin’?

There is no shortage of need in this world, and the poor and hurting will always be among us. We see that in John 12:8, Matt 26:11, but look at what it says here in Deuteronomy 15:11 (ESV) 

“For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.”

What is in your hand? Do you have time? a kind heart? a position in the community? finances? heart for intercession? a big car to haul people/things? open to fostering? adoption? work with kids in a school? a great listener? counselor?

There is nothing “special” about a person who moves to a foreign land to serve others. They are the same as you when you are serving others in your land. If you call yourself a believer, then you are called to use your gifts to serve others in need, in your land, according to what is in your hand. In fact, we should all serve where we are before we dare serve elsewhere.

Just as my kids never see anything in their hands as waste. They always see an opportunity to use whatever it is like something they can use, a tool. I want to encourage you to look at what gifts you have in your hands that maybe you have belittled by comparing them to another’s gifts. You are necessary and valuable. If you are unsure of what gifts you have, ask God to show you so that you can open your hands wide to your brothers and sisters in your land. 

~ THR