It’s hard to believe we are preparing for our 6th home assignment trip back to the U.S. and it’s hard to believe we’ve been in Uganda for more than 10 years. With those years has come some lessons learned, both on the field and while we’re traveling around the U.S. There are some things we have recognized about ourselves and about our family, friends and supporters over the years of our relationship.

First of all, to be 100% honest: home assignment isn’t a vacation or break! We are NOT traveling to and around America for a break from life and ministry in Uganda; we are traveling in order to report and raise support FOR our life and ministry in Uganda. We don’t refer to it as “furlough” because that suggests rest. It is not a vacation. Traveling to so many different places, staying in other people’s homes, eating too much food and drinking too much coffee is not relaxing. And while we are very thankful for the opportunities that traveling to America affords us (reconnecting with churches, friends, and family), it is often more stressful, more exhausting, and we feel more foreign as we visit so many people and places. It is an important part of our mission work, and we have learned over the years of travel, there are things we (and you) can do to help this time not be so stressful for our family, and other missionaries.

We are blessed to be loved, cared for, and supported through all of life – whether in Uganda or traveling around America. THANK YOU for asking good questions, asking us what we need or want while we’re traveling, offering your homes for us to rest, seeking opportunities to get to know us better, and helping us relax while we’re traveling. We see you and appreciate you! But we also know from our experience, and from the experience of others, that some of you WANT so desperately to bless, encourage, and help, but may not know how to help. So, HERE are a few ways you can help missionaries feel loved and supported while they are in their home country…

Always ask what they might need or want while traveling. This answer will be different for each person, but one easy answer is always extra funds! Travel is expensive, whether it’s for road trips or flights, expenses add up during travel. Other than that, here are some other ideas to help care for missionaries. But be sure to ask them what they need first!

• Find a vehicle for the missionary to borrow, so they don’t have to rent one.
• Have missionaries send lists of foods, drinks, snacks they like, and then provide goodie baskets of their favorite things.
• Some families would prefer to borrow a house for their own space rather than staying with other people. If there’s an available house, try to make it available for them. But remember…ask them what they prefer!
• Take missionary families to places to have fun: arcades, bowling, amusement parks, sports events, shows, etc. We like to have fun, and many of these things don’t exist where we do ministry. So instead of going to another restaurant or coffee shop, get creative and take them some place fun!
• Help them make the time and maybe offer a place for them to have a family vacation. Cabins, AirBnBs, timeshares or beach houses all make for wonderful gifts amidst the chaos of America travel. But remember…ask them what they want first!
• Some families might need missionary debriefing or a retreat, so help them make these opportunities possible.
• Collect gift cards for restaurants, fast food places, grocery stores, fuel stations, clothing stores, and other gift cards to bless the family with extra funds to pay for things they need while traveling and for their return back to the mission field. Cash is even better!
• Find ways to spoil missionary kids! Treat them with foods or drinks they miss, new clothes or shoes, toys or games, organize gatherings with other kids and help them feel welcome.
• Families with small children might need babysitters – offer to watch their kids for meetings, date nights, or for their own personal time. This is HUGE!!!
• Offer to help them in your area of expertise: Are you a counselor? Offer them free therapy sessions. Are you a doctor? Offer to help them with routine check-ups. Are you a dentist? Offer a free cleaning. Are you a chiropractor or masseuse? Offer them a free appointment. Do you own a restaurant? Offer to help them with catering or a meal. Do you have a fun car? Offer to take them for a joy ride. You’d be surprised how these things can really touch people and make a big impact!

Ask how you can be praying for your missionary friends, personally and as a family. Just like anyone else, we want people to ask about our life and our family, not just ministry. It’s often easy for churches and supporters to ask about the ministry, and it’s easy to share the ministry stories, especially the positive ones. You guys know us, and we are the people who share the “not so good stories” as well, so you can get a real picture of ministry. But our family also wants to connect with you on a personal level. It’s sometimes hard for missionaries to relate to people about our lives: our home, our lifestyle, the culture we live in is very different than America. But we genuinely want you to know our family, our dreams, our celebrations, and our challenges. And we want to know what’s going on in your life in America, as well. Leland recently wrote a BLOG POST about good questions to ask missionaries and Third Culture Kids, so check it out.

“Missionaries face a unique set of difficult challenges. They often battle spiritual opposition, navigate cultural isolation, and carry the emotional weight of being far from family, friends, and familiar rhythms.”

Personal check-ins are really important! Be a safe person for the missionaries and commit to praying for them as your brothers and sisters in Christ. Here’s a BLOG POST about how to pray for Missionary / Third Culture Kids.

For more reading, here is another website with insight on how to care for missionaries: https://pioneers.ca/supporting-missionaries-well-from-home/.

THANK YOU for reading this.

THANK YOU for caring about us and other missionaries you are connected with.

THANK YOU for loving us well!