The
Missionary's Preparation 
It is a discredit to the cause, but I fear that we are too often guilty
of sending out laborers to the foreign field ill-prepared for what awaits
them. One cannot survive long on a purely idealistic vision, especially when
things do not turn out as expected. I am thinking that this contributes to
the high rate of attrition that exists today.
To begin with, this must be perceived as a serious problem and an unsatisfactory
trend. It is time to stop and take a cold, hard look at the situation. We
should give some consideration to the many folks around the world that are
being left in the lurch.
There is a need for openness on some delicate issues. There are problems and pressures that must be confronted within the missionary family as well as in the work. Anticipating them would be much better than being overwhelmed by them. Those who attend Bible College need more down-to-earth missions courses that are not just inspirational. Who is telling them about immigration laws, political instability, animosity toward Americans, obtaining housing, bureaucracy in general, alternatives for the children's schooling, culture, language barriers, etc.? A concerted effort is needed to inform about the common pitfalls and stages in a missionary's growth.
For whatever reason, one outstanding characteristic of new missionaries (myself included) seems to be naivety. It must be nice to live indefinitely with your head in the clouds, knowing just how the world is supposed to work. What a rude awakening when you realize how gullible you have been. Sadly, naivety does not gain you any respect - it is only mocked. You are forced to grow up and face reality if you want to survive.
Sincerely, I hope that by sharing some of my mistakes, others might avoid some of the same pitfalls and have a greater chance of surviving on the field. All I am asking is that you consider the following thoughts in light of the problem at hand: the number of foreign missionaries that leave their work prematurely is far too high.
Maybe their decisions reflect a weakness at a foundational level at the outset of their careers. My desire is that something positive might be done to prevent such a high percentage of setbacks to the cause of Christ in the future. Please bear in mind that these are one missionary's opinions. I do not presume to set myself up as spokesman for others.
THE MISSIONARY'S WIFE
A missionary's wife is his best friend. At crucial and transitional times in his career, she may well be his only friend. But remember, he is her best friend also. Either cultivate the relationship or run the risk of tremendous problems later on, when difficult decisions must be made and ought to be made together, when there is a radical change in life style, when there is illness, when cut off geographically from family and friends, when the language barrier seems insurmountable and you only have one another to talk to.
If you have to drag her to the field, chances are she will be dragging you back home after a while. The first few years on the field are like being in a pressure cooker. If there is a breach in the wall of your marriage now, the move to a foreign country may only serve to break it down completely.
Of necessity, a big share of the burden falls on the home church pastor. I have been close to instances where the tendency has been to let things ride and hope for the best. That usually backfires. The whole world does not need to know particulars. I do think the pastor should take off his rose-colored glasses and help the missionary to tactfully and quietly put his plans on the back burner while more important matters are tended to. It really is not fair to expect other churches to gamble their mission money on someone that even the sponsoring church may have doubts about. I do think that marital problems have been more of a factor than we have been willing to admit.
THE MISSIONARY'S EDUCATION
This is one area where I jumped the gun. The Lord was coming back so soon(I thought) that if I waited another year, there would not be enough time to accomplish anything worthwhile. What I would do, needed to be done quickly. So, I quit Bible College and began preparations to go to El Salvador. That was in 1975.
Any way you look at it, a solid education will stand you in good stead. It will be a help to your own mental preservation once you are on your own. Paradoxically, the more primitive the people you will be working with, the more advantageous a good education will be to enable you to minister to them. Wherever you serve, it will never be wrong to be articulate, knowledgeable and well-prepared.
