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From the Heart of a Missionary: September 2020

Disappointments
by Lou Ann Keiser

I will never forget how disappointed I was when I saw Plymouth Rock. My impression from history books was that it would be an outcropping, a large rock—like Gibraltar. But, it wasn’t. Our family walked over to it, looked down from the railing, and it was only a stone. To be fair, it’s a big stone and probably weighs a few tons. Stamped with 1620, it’s thought to be the same one the Pilgrims saw.

I was dumbfounded. This is it? Okay, let’s move on. Why even include this rock in the history books?

For an entirely different reason, I was disappointed with the site of Custer’s Last Stand at Little Big Horn—the great battle between the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho Native American tribes against the Seventh Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army. Legend has it that only one army man survived. They were entirely outnumbered, and it was a sad day.

My disappointment, however, was in the signage. At the time of our visit, there were some fine granite monuments, detailing the happenings during the battle from sites that overlook the battlefield. It’s a desolate, hilly place. One can easily picture the action.

One of these monuments divided the words as needed in order to fit its tapered shape: TR-OOPS and BESIE-GED were two of the hyphenating gems we noted, carved with care into the beautiful gray granite. My family was cracking up. I am sure General Custer felt worse than “oops” when he perceived the multitude surrounding him.

We quoted “Bessie-Jed” the remainder of our trip. It was funny but disappointing that the stone carver wasn’t more familiar with rules for syllable divisions. It’s amazing that the National Park Service actually put up those stones without correcting them. TR-OOPS, for sure!

All of us have been disappointed at one time or another—and not only with stones. We might be disappointed in people and circumstances.

My father used to sing a song, “There’s No Disappointment in Jesus.”*

“There’s no disappointment in Jesus,
He’s more than my tongue can tell;
His love is so sure and so steadfast,
His friendship divine will not fail.
Chorus:
There’s no disappointment in Jesus,
He’s all that He promised to be;
His love and His care comfort me everywhere;
He is no disappointment to me.”

When everything around us is crazy—as it is now—Jesus never changes. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). This means that the same God who created the world, parted the Red Sea and dried the path, led His people with a column of fire and cloud, and then sent His Son for us is the same God we know today.

That same Jesus who healed the sick, raised the dead, read men’s thoughts, and cast out demons is with us today.

There is no disappointment in Jesus. He’s perfect. He loves you. He saves. He rescues. He’s a refuge for us. We can call out, and He actually translates our prayers to God. He acts as a lawyer, representing us to God. He cares.

I don’t know what you face today. Whatever it is, you can run to Jesus. There is no disappointment in Him.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

*by John C. Hallett, 1940.

If this article has been a blessing to you, let Mrs. Lou Ann Keiser know here. Disappointment first appeared on Lou Ann’s blog in May 2020. 

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From the Memo Board: September 2020

Dates to Know

September 7 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Labor Day.

October 1 – August Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

October 1 – September Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

November 1 – September Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

November 1 – October Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

New Staff Member

Mrs. Hannah Brenneman joined the WWNTBM office staff on Monday, August 17, 2020. She and her family recently moved to Marion, NC, where her husband Daniel is pastoring the Maranatha Baptist Church. The Brennemans have three children: Alec (13), Ariana (9), and Ava (5). As an office assistant, she will review and communicate with you about your monthly financial reports. She will also help schedule you for our online missions conference and Uplift. Her email address is [email protected]. We are excited to have her as a part of our staff! Click here to watch an interview with Bro. O’Malley.

New Baby!


Selicia Leseli Ortiz was born on August 24. Her name means salt and light, and she is the daughter of Rolando and Hannah Ortiz, who minister in Mexico. The Ortizes have three other children: Azelia (6), Viana (5), and Amadeo (2). Selicia is the granddaughter of Fred Jr. and Beth Daniel.

Notice from the IRS about 2019 Tax Returns

If a taxpayer mailed a check with or without a tax return, it may be unopened in the backlog of mail the IRS is processing due to COVID-19.

Any payments will be posted as the date the IRS received them rather than the date the agency processed them. To avoid penalties and interest, taxpayers should not cancel their checks and should ensure funds continue to be available so the IRS can process them.

To provide fair and equitable treatment, the IRS is providing relief from bad check penalties for dishonored checks the agency received between March 1 and July 15 due to delays in this IRS processing. However, interest and penalties may still apply. See www.irs.gov/payments for options to make payments other than by mail.

Uplift Podcasts

The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. These recordings for our missions family contain the Uplift calls in their entirety, including prayer requests and challenges to our missionaries. We hope they will encourage your heart.

We had several problems with the Uplift audio files over the past several months. Many of these were recorded at the end of 2019/beginning of 2020. Thankfully, we were able to get the audio sorted out so that we could share these times of encouragement and idea-sharing with you.

A Great Burden by Jim Davidson

I Feel Alone by Josh Wagar

Biblical Leadership by Joel Dickens

Reasons to be Thankful by Gene Krachenfels

Fear Not by Daniel Fetter

The Birth of Christ and Revival by Edgar Feghaly

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A Culture of Exceptionality: September 2020

by John O’Malley

This article is part six in a six-part series on the core values and culture of your missions office. Each article in this series focuses on the values we display when we are at our best. The five values are Selfless, Eager, Responsible, Valuable, and Exceptional.

Customer service experts teach the little things a company does for their customers are the things which make an enormous difference for their customers.

Enterprise Leasing once had an employee suggest they give a bottle of cold water to their cars’ renters. Now, you can expect a cold bottle of water at the time of rental.

The worldwide hotelier, The Ritz-Carlton, teaches their people they are ladies and gentlemen who serve ladies and gentlemen. One of their parking lot attendants who valet parked a guest’s car noticed the driver had a certain flavor of Gatorade (a sports beverage) in his cup holder. Upon check out, the parking attendant had a cold Gatorade of his preferred flavor, waiting in the customer’s cup holder.

Chick-fil-a, an American quick-serve restaurant, follows the same line of thinking as The Ritz-Carlton. The team members in their restaurants learn the value of replying when thanked, “My pleasure.” In the business world, some would say, these are exceptional gestures.

The business world should take note. Christ made clear in His Sermon on the Mount the exceptional principles He expected of His kingdom’s subjects. In Matthew five, we read:
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Matthew 5:39–42

Notice the exceptional expectations Christ shares. He expects when we have a loss of dignity that we turn the other cheek. The Lord expects when threatened (sued for our shirt), we go beyond all expectations and give them our outer coat. When compelled by authorities, we are to go the second mile. When people ask, we give. When people need to borrow, we do not ignore them.

When Christ said these words, I am sure His words raised eyebrows amongst His hearers. The areas of exceptionality covered personal, legal, governmental, and financial matters. God calls His people to exceptionality.

When we serve you, we believe every communication, every interaction, every transaction must reach the threshold Jesus set. Choosing to be exceptional in life, ministry, marriage, and with your children will never fail to pay off. When we are exceptional with our co-workers, our church people, the heathen, and each other, we look like Christ requires.

Try this. This month, look for people who may seem prickly and do something exceptional for them. Anyone can be exceptional to the pleasant people in their lives. It takes sacrifice to be exceptional and Christlike.

If we ever miss the mark of being selfless, eager, responsible, valuable, or exceptional, I want to know so we can improve our service to you.

It is a joy to SERVE with you.
Yours for the harvest,

John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.

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From the Memo Board: August 2020

Dates to Know

September 1 – July Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

September 1 – August Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

September 7 – the Office will be closed in celebration of Labor Day.

October 1 – August Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

October 1 – September Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

New Baby!

Leire Bonikowsky was born on June 29. She is the first child of David and Raquel Bonikowsky, who minister in the Basque region of Spain. Leire is the granddaughter of Andy and Mimi Bonikowsky, and the great-granddaughter of Al and Helga Bonikowsky, all of whom have served with World Wide for many years.

New Engagement!

Garrett Conley and Katlyn Payton are engaged to be married. Garrett is currently receiving training as an assistant pastor at Southview Baptist Church in Statesville, NC. Their goal is to go to Ireland after they have the qualifications to obtain a visa. Pray for this couple as they prepare to be married and make plans for their future together!

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A Culture of Value: August 2020

by John O’Malley

This article is part five in a six-part series on the core values and culture of your missions office. Each article in this series focuses on the values we display when we are at our best. The five values are Selfless, Eager, Responsible, Valuable, and Exceptional.

Two hundred warriors were so faint they could not follow David, their leader. They waited by a brook called Besor while David took other warriors to fight a battle. David recovered the people and possessions stolen by the Philistines. David spoiled the enemies. The two hundred weary men met David on his return. David greeted them.

David’s victory in the battle over the Philistines yielded a spoil. The carnal men in David’s army said they would not share the spoil of war with the weary. These complaining malcontents felt those who stayed behind should only get from the spoils their once-stolen wives and children. These men felt those who remained and did not go into battle should take their wives and kids and go away.

David taught the warriors a lesson on seeing value in others. David taught them: the battle we fought was the Lord’s. David reminded them: we did not get these spoils on our own; God gave us the spoils. As a king and warrior, David taught our Lord preserved us in battle. God gave the enemies into our hands.

David dismissed the negative words. His message was simple: everybody is valuable for who they are and not for what they do. This moment led David to declare a new statute and ordinance in Israel. When David spoke of the men who stayed back and the men who advanced, David did not differentiate or discriminate; the men were all warriors to David.

How David looked at all the warriors is how I see the principle of being valuable.

Valuableness is a core principle I ask our staff to practice. I want our staff to add value to you and everyone we connect with on your behalf. I want all to see value, not by a status (deputation, furlough, medical leave, retired, or semi-retired, church planter, education, medical or orphanages), but by their worth to God. If we are in missions together, we are together and not segmented.

In ministry, you will have many people with whom you will connect and contact. Make sure you see everyone as valuable. Make sure you view others as valuable as God sees them.

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.

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A Culture of Responsibility: July 2020

by John O’Malley

Click below to view the video version of this devotional.

This article is part four in a six-part series. Each article in this series focuses on the values we display when we are at our best. The five values are Selfless, Eager, Responsible, Valuable, and Exceptional.

The family of Kish’s female donkeys wandered away. Kish wanted the donkeys home. The donkeys were valuable for breeding and riding. Kish sent his son, Saul, and a servant to find the family’s donkeys. Saul and the servant were assigned a responsibility: seek the female donkeys and bring them home.

Saul’s responsibility was to do whatever it took, go wherever necessary, adjust his course as needed, and finish the mission. Saul’s relationship with his father meant he had the higher calling to find the donkeys and please his father. Saul sought the donkeys and kept his father’s heart close to him.

God used Kish to accomplish His will for Saul and Israel.

Saul found more than the missing donkeys. Saul saw God’s man — Samuel. Saul also learned God’s will for his life. He discovered God had more for him on the journey than to find the missing donkeys.

God does the same with us. He mobilizes us to fulfill an assignment, and while completing the task, we find God had more for us than the one destination.

God assigned you to seek souls. Your church commissioned you to fulfill a divine assignment. Your responsibility is to go wherever is necessary and adjust your course to accomplish God’s mission.

At first, you thought what you would find on the mission were eternal addresses would be changed, an indigenous church planted, and leave a spiritual legacy for the Lord’s glory.

You may realize now, on God’s missionary assignment, you found more than the “donkeys.” You found God’s assignment bigger than you could ever imagine. Perhaps, like Saul, you discovered more than the souls to whom He sent you. You found much about yourself, your family, and your God.

Responsibility is a significant aspect of missionary service. Responsibility is a massive part of our office culture at World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions.

Each month we perform thousands of tasks, receive hundreds of requests, and take scores of calls. Each task, request, and call we receive, we take as our divine responsibility. We commit ourselves to be responsible to God, the Executive Board, and you to help with your harvest work.

Being responsible means taking ownership of your request, following it through until resolved, and proactively finding solutions to assist you. We know we are at our best when we are responsible for the assignments you give us.

Each day each team member delights in fulfilling your request. We love to hear from you. When you have a need, we pray for you. When you rejoice, we rejoice with you. When you weep, we weep with you. Our responsibility to you is more than clerical; it is spiritual.

May God find us responsible whether we serve in the field or the office.

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.

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From the Memo Board: July 2020

Dates to Know

July 3 – Our Office and US banks will be closed in celebration of Independence Day.

August 1 – June Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

August 1 – July Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

September 1 – July Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

September 1 – August Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

Things to Consider When Mentioning Financial Needs to Donors

You may occasionally have financial needs that are not covered by your regular support funds. WWNTBM asks that you contact us prior to seeking designated funds from donors. It is good for your donors to be aware of the needs of your ministry. However, there are some things that you should think through when mentioning such needs to donors. Please keep these in mind, and contact our office if you have any questions.

First, if you are asking to raise funds for a specific project, we request that you confirm for us in advance that your sending pastor is aware of and behind the project. In order for WW to issue tax receipts for specially designated funds, the Executive Board has to include it in our minutes, and they prefer to know that your sending pastor is aware of the situation.

Second, there are many logistical items the Office can assist you with. For instance, it may not be advisable to ask donors to mark a gift as “France Building” because we may already have another missionary raising funds with that designation, and it could create confusion for how we would post the donation. Therefore, it is always best to confer with the Office prior to contacting donors, so that we can help advise on the best way for funds to be designated. In addition to the designation, there may be tax implications to you based on the manner in which funds are designated. We can help ensure the best tax situation for you as funds are received.

Third, we always recommend that donors make checks payable to WW, rather than to the individual missionary. Although we do have the ability to cash checks in your name, this makes for a smoother process and can avoid unnecessary tax paperwork for the church and the missionary. (If a church makes funds payable to you in the amount of $600 or more over the course of the year, they are required to issue a separate 1099 to you, even if the funds came through WW. In addition, if you are not a US citizen, there may be other tax and visa implications for you.)

How to Record Canceled Flights on Your MFR

Many of our missionaries had flights that were canceled due to the COVID-19 virus. This creates a unique situation for MFRs. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind.

If you received a cash refund of the costs but had not yet listed the ticket purchase on your MFR, you can simply leave all records of the transaction(s) off of the reports.

If you received a cash refund of the costs and had already listed the original purchase as an expense on a previously submitted report, you should list the refund as “income from other sources” in the month you received the refund. This shows a full paper trail of the financial transactions.

If you received an airline credit, rather than a cash refund for the tickets, you may still list the cost of the ticket on your report. However, you should ensure that you only exchange the credit in the future for the purchase of another qualifying ministry flight. Because the cost was already accounted for, you would not list the cost on a future MFR when redeeming the credit later on, which would result in a duplication of the expense. However, ticket change fees or mileage redemption fees related to using the credit may still be listed as additional costs on your report.

Software Policy

Microsoft allows WWNTBM, as a non-profit, to provide discounted software to our missionaries. After an audit from Microsoft, we realized changes in their policy cause us to make adjustments in our policy.

Missionaries and their nuclear family are eligible to receive discounted software through WWNTBM. Children out of the home are not eligible.

Board members are eligible to receive discounted software for their personal computers; however, their ministries and families are not eligible to receive discounted software through WWNTBM.

Ministries such as churches, schools, orphanages, etc., are considered separate entities and are therefore not eligible. If your non-profit ministry needs discounted software for its office, you can seek to establish a non-profit relationship directly with Microsoft.

If you are interested in obtaining discounted software or have questions about the above policy, please contact Rebekah Tolley.

New Baby!

Elijah Thomas Elwart was born on June 1. He weighed 8 pounds 13 ounces and was 21 inches long. Elijah is the first son of Jackie and Brittany Elwart, who are on deputation to go to Big Bear, CA. He joins his sisters Charlotte (13), Audrey (11), and Sadie (9). Pray for the Elwarts as they travel and raise their support.

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A Culture of Eagerness: June 2020

by John O’Malley

This is part three in a series about the culture of World Wide. Click below to view the video version of this devotional.

Adino, Eleazar, and Shammah served King David’s interests. These men, called mighty men, acted on the king’s behalf. Each man was courageous, bold, and eager to take an impossible task with God’s help and to accomplish the impossible for the honor of Israel, the king, and God.

Scripture records an occasion when David was in a cave called Adullam. In a valley below was a troop of Philistines. Over twenty miles away, at home in Bethlehem, was a garrison of Philistines.

David longed for water from home. David had water available to him in the cave. He longed for water from his hometown well, the well by the gate.

David spoke from his heart. “Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” The mighty men heard David’s heart’s desire. They made the more-than-forty-mile round trip. They broke through the garrison and the troops of the enemy they encountered, to bring David water from home.

David knew he could not drink this water. Their sacrifice, endangerment, and honor were more than David could bear. He could not even sip this water of sacrifice.

David’s heart was toward God. He took the water, which to him was pure, precious, and valuable, and poured it out to the Lord as a sacrifice.

Our trio of warriors were men of honor too. Their eager effort to get the king water from home was rewarded enough to them. Their offering to David became David’s offering to God.

In continuing my series on the five disciplines* of our agency’s culture, please notice the eagerness of David’s mighty men. The mighty men heard the mere wish of their king. They accomplished the impossible with eager ability.
As part of our agency’s culture, our office staff commits to eagerness. We want to do more than what you request. We are eager to bring God glory and bring you pleasure by fulfilling your request.

How we treat you has as much to do with our walk with God and our calling to serve you, as it does with our daily job description.

In ministry, have you lost your eagerness? The eagerness you began this course with, do you still manifest it? When ministry becomes monotonous, devotion-less, and without eagerness, the people you serve the Lord in front of lose.

When you lose eagerness, it affects your pulpit ministry, public ministry, and private ministry. A marriage without eager responsiveness can wither. A home without eager participation can quickly drift in the sea of complacency.

As a leader at WWNTBM, I commit to being eager to listen, love, and labor for the honor of the King. Is your highest level of eagerness for the spiritual things in life? May God help us if we become eager for the carnal.

Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley

*The Five Disciplines of SERVE: Selfless, Eager, Responsible, Valuable, Exceptional

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.

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From the Memo Board: June 2020

Dates to Know

June 29 – July 6 – See the Harvest Trip to Utah.

July 1 – May Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

July 1 – June Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

July 3 – Our Office and US banks will be closed in celebration of Independence Day.

July 6 – Revised pay date for those who normally receive support on the 5th of the month.

August 1 – June Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries.

August 1 – July Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries.

New Look to Your Monthly Support List

We are implementing changes in our database to incorporate the National Partnership Services. Please note these changes to your Support List this month. We have added a new column of figures and also renamed the columns to add clarity to the report. The column titled Donations shows the total amount given by the donor. The MAS column represents the 5% contribution to cover Mission Agency Services. This applies to all missionaries. The new NPS column represents the 5% contribution to cover the National Partnership Services. Although this column will show on all Support Lists, the percentage will only be applied to those who are a part of our National Partnership Program. The column for Missionary shows the amount of the donation that the missionary receives personally. The figure in the lower right of the last page of your Support List, in the box marked “Use this figure on your monthly financial report,” continues to be the sum of the Missionary Column for all accounts. It represents the total income you received personally during the month and should be used as the income figure on your monthly financial reports.

The NPS contribution, just as the MAS contribution, will be applied according to the following guidelines:

• When a donor indicates new support, even if it is the first time we have received funds.

• When funds begin coming from a donor on a regular basis, even if the check memo continues to say ‘gift,’ unless it is specifically designated such as ‘gift for building fund’ or some other specific project. Regular basis does not necessarily mean monthly; some donors give at varying times and some even give annually.

• All regular funds received are subject to the MAS and NPS contributions, regardless of whether they are received in personal or ministry support accounts (i.e. accounts for ongoing operations of a ministry such as a school or radio station.)

• Funds for specific projects will be evaluated on an annual basis to determine if they have become ongoing ministry support as opposed to one-time fundraising events.

New Monthly Reporting for Non-Resident Missionaries

Non-Resident Missionaries who do not have a Certified Foreign Non-Profit Organization (FNPO) should begin tracking their ministry expenses in the month of June, in order to submit their June NRA Financial Report by July 1. Please be sure to check your email and watch the video explaining how to complete the report. These reports should be submitted to [email protected], along with receipts for ministry items over $75. Please note that failure to submit the reports on time will prevent future distributions of funds from World Wide until all reports have been received. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Cmaylo.

World Wide of Canada Contact Information

Bro. Ernie Bauserman manages the office for World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions of Canada. Please note the updated contact number for our Canadian Office, effective June 1:

WWNTBM of Canada
PO Box 116
Elliot Lake, ON P5A 2J6
CANADA
705-849-9395

Ninth Hour Prayer Meetings

Bro. O’Malley continues to host a daily online prayer meeting to inform viewers and tell God our cares about the COVID-19 situation. This is held daily at 3 p.m. EDT, and it can be viewed on Facebook. We invite you to join in as you are able. Past meetings are available on Bro. O’Malley’s Facebook page. Click here to watch a recent meeting with Dr. Bill Wingard as the guest speaker.

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From the Heart of a Missionary: June 2020

The Missionary Woman’s “Disease”
by Lou Ann Keiser

I am sitting in my living room with the door open. The birds are singing, and it’s a gorgeous day. My husband is thumping around upstairs, taking something from his office to our bedroom.

I am alone.

Our children are grown and gone. (I mean really gone. The closest lives just over four thousand miles away.) They are married and the parents of the cutest grandsons on the planet. (Don’t let me get started!) When our youngest left the nest, the silence was deafening. Except for my husband’s goings and comings, it was like a tomb around here–too quiet!

I know some of you live in places where the noise deafens. Some of you have children running around the house–and hollering and getting into things–and you can’t even imagine the scene I painted for you. You’d like to hear silence, experience quiet.

You’ll agree, though. We all have a “disease” in common: loneliness.

You might work with a missionary team, or not. You might have lots of friends, or not. You might have the aforementioned children and a husband, or not. It doesn’t matter. You’re lonely.

Why is it that, in this day of connectedness–think social media, Skype, FaceTime, and secret groups. Did I tell you how thankful I am for you?–missionary women feel more lonely than ever in the history of missions? I believe it’s true, and I may understand some of the reasons why. Let me share a few thoughts.

We came to the mission field with illusions. We thought we’d adapt easier. We thought the people would love us. We had the idea that the natives were just waiting to hear the gospel–fields white unto harvest–and it turns out they couldn’t care less. We thought that it would be an adventure, and we found out it was hard, slogging work. We thought our teen kids would love it, but they resent the field–and us. We thought . . . . False expectations. Missionary work is no piece of cake. We thought too much.

We came seeking new friends. We severely limited our sphere of friends when we left our sending friends behind, moved across a border, and arrived at this place: our mission field. We looked for new friendships, and, thank the Lord, we’ve made some. Our soul sisters, those few-in-life kindred-spirit friends got left behind. We didn’t understand what that would mean. We’ve gone on, and so have they. After a few years, our life experiences are poles apart. They will always be our friends, but we (and they) have changed.

We became overwhelmed–or underwhelmed. We either jumped into the work feet first and got super busy, always seeing needs, always saying yes, that, along with preparing meals, cleaning house, mothering, wife-ing, and all the rest, we are exhausted. Every. Single. Day. Or . . . we have a hard time fitting in. Our team leader won’t let us do all we want to do, so we have too much time on our hands, and we feel frustrated, undervalued, and resentful.

We came to the field conscious of the airplanes out of here. Many years ago, missionaries went to the field with the understanding that they would live and die there. Many of those missionaries lived and died without ever seeing their families and home countries again. Their families couldn’t visit, either (or Skype or e-mail). I believe that, since we know we can “escape” or connect if necessary, it colors our emotions. We didn’t have to completely cut with the past when we came to the field, thank the Lord. We know we can be with our loved ones in a matter of two days or less, if need be. They can visit us, too. We have a foot here, and a foot back home. (I’m not recommending otherwise, you understand. Just talking!)

So, we’re lonely. We look inside our emotions and see a black hole that doesn’t fill up.

Sometimes, we lock our teeth, smile, and get on with life. Other times, we stream big ole tears.

How can a missionary woman deal with loneliness? Here are eight constructive ideas:
1. The Lord promises to meet all your needs. Make Him foremost. He will truly fill up your black hole with light. People don’t satisfy. God does. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
2. Invest your emotional energies (love) in the people closest to you. I’m talking about your husband and children. For singles, pray that God would give you a girlfriend where you are. She might be an older woman or someone closer to your age. Ask God to show you someone. If you don’t find a kindred spirit where you live, accept it as God’s will. Rely on Him. He will be your Best Friend. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart (Psalm 37:4).
3. Avoid dwelling on what you don’t have, and give thanks. Suppress those negative, pity-party thoughts. Especially during the holidays, it’s normal to miss friends and family. When loneliness begins, change the self-conversation and give thanks to the Lord. A heart of praise cures attitudes and emotions. (Colossians 3:17, Ephesians 5:4)
4. Find joy in ministry. Love is, after all, giving. Give yourself to your family, your church ministry, and to meeting others’ needs. Enjoy your church people. Laugh and love.
5. Get out of the house! This is so basic, but there’s nothing like getting out of the house, taking a walk in a park, the countryside, or along the beach or lake. (It’s okay if you take the family.) There’s something about being outside in nature that refreshes the spirit. Don’t let yourself be hemmed in by walls. (Shopping malls don’t count!) Get out and find something God made. Breathe. Thank God for beauty. Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise? (Psalm 106:2)
6. Read. Ask friends for recommendations. If you work with a group of missionaries, swap books. Be open to different genres and new authors. I recommend reading missionary biographies from time to time. They’ll put your own struggles into perspective. Of course, read your Bible first, but if you need some unwinding time at night, a good book is much better than a movie.
7. Get a hobby. “Hobby? Surely you jest. I’m just trying to keep my head above water!” Here are some ideas: Do cross-stitch, crocheting, or knitting while the kids are playing. Learn how to cook like a native chef while visiting with the ladies in your church. Become a photographer. (You need the pictures for your ministry reports, anyway.) Sew. Cut hair. Play the violin. Plant and tend flowers or a vegetable garden. Write. Make crafts–again learning from the native women. A hobby helps you feel fulfilled because it’s something you enjoy and it’s productive. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it (Psalm 90:17).
8. Remember that loneliness is a perception, a state of mind. Oh yes, it’s real, too! When you’re lonely, read the Psalms. Let their beauty and trust wash over your soul. Let God speak to you, renew your mind, and mend your heart.

God bless you!

If this article has been a blessing to you, let Mrs. Lou Ann Keiser know here. The Missionary Woman’s Disease first appeared on http://inhershoesbmw.blogspot.com/ in December 2014.