The Rope

Rope-holders: the folks back home in supporting churches; those who faithfully pray and give, enabling missionaries to do God's work 

Ideally, missionaries leave behind a whole troop of rope-holders who read prayer letters, pray, and support their missionaries faithfully. But, those of us who have been on the field a long time know that sometimes:

• even the pastor forgets about you.
• a new pastor takes over and drops "old" missionaries.
• people forget to pray or give.

When you notice these things happening, you might feel "poor me." But, I have been so encouraged by all those who don't forget us. Many times, people in our churches tell us:

• I pray for you on a regular basis. (Some say "every day." How humbling!)
• We just love our missionaries.
• Thank you for sacrificing and going.

Those are the statements that help us know we've not been alone. Our rope-holders have been behind us. They've been praying. And, though we might not see how, God has answered their prayers.

Those at the end of the rope—or even at the end of their ropes: the missionaries themselves.

They're usually trying very hard to do what the Lord has asked of them. Many times, they are lonely, frustrated, and sometimes, they're seriously wondering how long they can hang on. Life on the mission field is far from romantic. The missionary woman has had to learn to cook with the ingredients available; clean house in a dusty place; ration water, electricity, and Internet time; love difficult people; communicate the gospel using terminology the natives will understand; and rely completely on the Lord for fellowship. She has had to study her Bible for answers to questions she never thought to ask. She's learned to protect her children from unspeakable dangers. Sometimes, she feels alone against the world.

So, what's the solution? Enlist others to hang onto the rope along with you.

How? 

Here are five ideas. (You might think of more.)  

1. Find a prayer partner back home. Ask one of your girlfriends if she will be willing to pray specifically for you every day—and you will do the same for her. Share your prayer requests back and forth. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 18:19).
2. If possible, cultivate a friendship on the field. This probably would be another missionary woman, someone you can trust, and someone you can share a cup of tea or coffee with from time to time. Pray together and share. You'd be surprised how refreshing one friend can be. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself (Acts 27:3b).
3. Enlist a ladies' group. Several of our supporting churches have wonderful ladies' groups who pray faithfully for their missionaries. Involve one of yours. You can even suggest projects that might help your people on your mission field. Ask them to pray specifically for women and children in your church. Give them more background than you supply in prayer letters. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel … whose names are in the book of life (from Philippians 4:3).
4. Think "team." Even if you work alone, be aware of your "team." Keep your supporting churches in the loop—especially your home church. Don't allow yourself feel alone. People do pray for you. People do support you. Praise God for them. Keep a praise mentality instead of a pity party attitude. Show your gratefulness and appreciation when you write your prayer letters. Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed (Romans 15:30-32).
5. Depend on the Lord. We actually have the most powerful Person in the world on our side. He's the One who can do everything. No limits. The closer we get to Him, the more confidence we have. Get on board with His work, and He will direct our work. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen (Jude 1:24-25).

God bless you.

(Lou Ann Keiser, in Basque Spain more than 30 years)