Editor's note: Ask the Missionary, written by Dr. Greg Crofford, is a new column that will run in Engage magazine twice a month. If you would like to submit a question, please e-mail it to engagemagazine @ nazarene.org. Include your full name, city where you live, and if you like, the name of the church that you attend.

Question: Every missionary is also a human being and with that comes human limitations. What physical and mental hardships are the most difficult for foreign missionaries to overcome and how is the contemporary missionary more equipped to handle physical, psychological, and social hurdles of mission service?

-- Joshua Roebuck, 22, Orange, Texas, United States

Response: The challenges that a missionary faces vary depending upon location.  A missionary living in Bamako (the capital of Mali) may tire of the scorching heat and sand. Another cramped in a Moscow apartment during a bitter winter might be happy to trade for a few days! Each location has its challenges but also its joys.

The resilient missionary learns to tolerate the hardships, but also to cherish qualities unique to the country where he or she is serving. Paul wrote: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Phil. 4.11, NIV).  Happy is the missionary who heeds the Apostle’s timeless words.

Modern missionaries have some advantages. Thanks to advances in medicine, far fewer die of diseases like malaria than in days gone by. Air travel makes the journey to a destination a matter of days rather than weeks or months.  Programs in intercultural studies – such as those offered at Southern Nazarene University  (SNU) or Nazarene Theological Seminary  (NTS) – do a lot to prepare future missionaries academically, mentally and spiritually for the challenges that lie ahead.  

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages to serving as a missionary today. Technology is a mixed blessing. Social networking via the Internet or inexpensive Internet calling can be a source of moral support, but may become an excuse not to bond with those that we came to serve. Assignments that were meant to be long-term may be cut short because the missionary never learned to thrive in the local setting. Things that we take for granted -- like a warm shower or electrical power -- may be unavailable or spotty.

The greatest hurdle any missionary faces is discouragement. Much has been made of the “missionary call,” which sounds both spiritual and mysterious. Instead, I like to ask myself: “Why is God sending me here? What is the objective?” Make sure you’re specific and clear on that before you head overseas. Write it in your Bible or somewhere else where you can read it often.  That way, you won’t be tempted to quit before accomplishing the task that God sent you to do.

In the past, Nazarene missionaries were often assigned in groups. Today, it’s more likely that an individual or family will be the only ones from their denomination serving in a country. It pays to seek out missionaries from other Christian sending agencies. Find fun, non work-related things to do together. Maybe it’s swimming, playing tennis or singing in a choir. (Or playing squash, as I did with my son, John, over Christmas. See photo left.)

Pursue your hobbies with others and pursue them religiously. They will help keep you sane, giving your life balance and making you more effective when you are “on the job.”

On balance, living in the 21st century is a great boon to missions, as long as the advantages aren't allowed to morph into disadvantages. It's exciting to be part of God's mission strategy for "such a time as this."

-- Dr. Greg Crofford is a missionary serving as director of the Nazarene Theological Institute, a decentralized ministerial education program active in 15 African nations. Previously, Greg and his wife Amy served for 13 years on the West African and French Caribbean fields, working in both theological education (Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti) and church planting (Benin). Greg and his sons, John and Brad, enjoyed playing squash together over the Christmas break.