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From Luke’s Journal February 2024 | Vol.29 No.1 | Missions and Sacrificial Service

Our plane flies surprisingly low over a great expanse of mountain ranges. I feel a spike of adrenaline when I consider we’re losing altitude  and I cannot see a runway, let alone flat ground. But sure enough, as quickly as the mountains came, an arid valley and a remote airport appeared. As we come in to land, I see the terminal – low-profile and very basic. What I think are replica WWII Soviet planes line the runway. But no, they’re real and still in use. This is our first glimpse of our new home. What have we done?!

Why go?

It’s Day Zero in the country and I want to walk you through our decision-making process (maybe I’m just reassuring myself at this point).

I’ll begin with the excitement and adventure that first planted the seed, moving to the purposeful motivations that spurred us on, and end with the practical considerations that made it all happen. But of course, while these are all beneficial motivations, they will not stand when tested by suffering and trials. They purely form the scaffolding that supports a dream to serve overseas; truly the love of Christ is the only solid foundation.

Excitement and Adventure

I love to travel: the cultural confusion and shock that comes from a different surrounding. I love adventure: the excitement and thrill of a challenge. Maybe I also fear normalcy: fear a life that just passes by and disappears without anyone noticing. I also fear the monotony of a 9-to-5 job, toiling away to build my own urban kingdom. Despite possibly questionable motives, I do believe this quest for an exciting life can be used by God. A thirst for adventure, moulded for the sake of His kingdom. Maybe you are the same, you want an exciting life also? But is moving your whole world overseas the solution? Just take up dirt bike riding for goodness’ sake… But maybe, just maybe, this is the start of God’s glorious plan for you to step out in faith.

Altruism

It’s fair to assume that the vast majority in the health profession have a desire to help people. What a rewarding job, to care for people and make a difference in such an obvious way. What about working overseas in a country where the health system isn’t very established? Oh, what a difference we could make! When I first considered cross-cultural work I admit this altruism was my primary motivation. Or maybe I should call it ‘faux-altruism’. The desire to be a superhero, hidden by an exterior of self-sacrificial service. But yet again, in His gracious way, Christ can use this desire to help people. The question is, will we let God humble us first? When working cross-culturally, the danger comes if we believe we hold the solution, or even worse, we are the solution. We can easily do more harm than good. Forcing our opinions and values, creating dependency, and engaging in projects that foster our own self-importance is a poor demonstration of the gospel. We need to be teachable, ready to learn, to sit and listen, and simply be. Despite all our qualifications, experience, and skills, we don’t have all the answers. Our fixation on ‘doing’ and achieving outcomes often gets in the way of ‘being’, simply sharing the love of Christ as a believing friend. Just as Christ became the least of these, we are to trust and submit to the Father and serve with humility.

Pragmatics

A familiar comment from people is, “You are so brave to move your family overseas!” But it is not all bravery and risk, there is thought and consideration. Yes, ultimately, we must trust God for our safety and provision, as we do in our home country, but we also feel responsible for our family and our own well-being. As we are called by Christ to bring the gospel to all nations, we are also called to be good stewards, to love and care for our families. Just as we aim to be involved in sustainable community development, we want to be sustained also. We seek longevity in our service, this means putting things in place to manage stress, fatigue, and burnout. When considering a major life change, like moving overseas, a helpful tool is a risk matrix to decipher what we are willing to risk and what is too dangerous for us and our family. We decided, as a married couple, on our non-negotiables: what do we need to make this ‘doable’?  For example, we needed a good school for our child, we also needed a strong support team in the country. We are happy to live in a basic and small apartment, but nearby parks and mountains will help us feel refreshed and stay sane. But there is only so much you can plan for, only so much you can control. When life starts falling apart, when we are overwhelmed and broken, who is our fortress and stronghold?

“But there is only so much you can plan for, only so much you can control. When life starts falling apart, when we are overwhelmed and broken, who is our fortress and stronghold?”

The Love of Christ

All these motivations, they aren’t enough. When faced with uncertainty, loneliness and the questionable safety of our family, an exciting life and all the planning in the world isn’t enough. Only the transformative love of Christ will sustain, both here on earth and all eternity.

The gospel is truly the most wonderful thing I’ve ever heard. It’s sweet to the tongue, balm to the soul. The solution to every heartache, suffering, hopelessness, and loneliness. It’s too good not to share – especially for those who are yet to hear. This must be my primary motivation, as it must also be yours if you hope to walk a similar path. Let me encourage you to consider moving overseas and serving cross-culturally. I’m not saying get on the plane tomorrow. But allow the possibility, maybe it’s not so crazy after all? Loosen your grip on your future plans and dreams, let God plant the seed and watch it blossom.

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