The Home Missionary
These dear servants have a real challenge. Believe me, I know, I have been one of them. Who are they? They are the home based missionaries. "What's that" you ask. They are missionaries who have a U.S. based address while serving internationally. Since we are at the Church at Sandhurst in Florence, SC, I can just stick to the examples we have at hand. Though you can send them mail with a single postage stamp and you may see them on some Sunday mornings, their hearst, their daily services are focused on the international world. For example, we have the Jacksons who live here, but they are leaders for two worldwide mission organizations, one that focuses on medical burn ministry (Burncare International) and one that trains local church leaders abroad how to lead in missions (Envoy International). We have the Powers (Reliant Ministries), while they live in Clarkston, GA, they are squarely focused on church planting and discipleship in Eastern Europe. Their daily lives are filled with Skype calls where they are coaching and encouraging, plus they travel abroad over 100 days a year. We have Randy (Southeastern Medical International. whose very heart is Cambodian but he lives on Thunderbird Drive and he is always coordinating medical outreach and training in Cambodia, Belize, Dominican Republic, India, etc... . The Macchios work hard everyday for OM Ships keeping a ministry ship (Logos Hope) fueled, financed and filled with books/supplies but if you ask them out, they can meet you at the local coffee. The Johnsons (Amazon Focus) are in the Amazon as much as Florence, equipping indigenous leaders. The Browns (Here's Life) are providing support and encouragement for India ministry leaders daily and Angela heads up a medical/water ministry in Peru even though she is here currently taking care of her parents.
Let these folks know you love and appreciate them. It is hard being "here" and serving "there". Why? Because too often we don't think of them as missionaries... but they are. They are worthy of the support we offer as a church and hopefully from us as individuals.... over and above our church support. When people consider who they will support, they are too often overlooked. Their task is tough. Some work from home. It's a tough thing when people make a comment... "must be nice to get paid for doing nothing, your car is in your driveway all day". All the while they are in meetings via the internet, writing curriculum, prepping training manuals, developing courses, assisting with complex challenges overseas, fundraising for projects and much more. Let these hard working missionaries know you identify with them and are praying for them. They would welcome a chance to punch in at 9 a.m. and then out at 5 p.m. .
This is part of being a missions minded church... understanding the many different parts of the task involved. Give them your prayers, love and support.
