We sometimes felt out of place when we returned from the field. People didn’t know what kind of questions to ask, so they often didn’t ask any questions at all about our life overseas. We felt loved as missionaries when given the opportunity to process our experiences on the field with family, friends and partners. Make a point to host your missionary partner and their family when they return for home assignment. Give them an opportunity to freely share about their time; the good, bad and ugly. Here are some ideas for good questions to ask missionaries.
Personal
- What has been encouraging?
- What has been hard or discouraging?
Spiritual
- What unique struggles do you experience walking with God on the field?
- What has God been teaching you recently in His Word?
- How can I pray for you?
Family
- How is family life different overseas?
- If married, what are the joys and struggles of marriage in this season?
- How is parenting? What are the joys and struggles your kids experience?
- If single, how is singleness?
Ministry
- What are your ministry goals in this season of life?
- What are your long term goals?
- Who are some of your closest relationships overseas?
- How did you get to know them?
- What are their families like?
- What did you enjoy about the culture?
- What are some cultural insights you learned?
- What did you find challenging?
- Do you have any stories about cultural misunderstandings?
- How are you learning the language there?
- What do you enjoy about language learning?
- What do you find difficult?
- How would you describe their worldview and beliefs?
- Have you discovered any bridges to the gospel? Any barriers?
- Do you have any stories of spiritual or worldview conversations with others?
- How is your friend who you mentioned in your last email update doing?
- What does an average day look like for you?
- Tell me about your teammates.
- How do you get along together?
- What are the blessings and challenges of team life?
- What do you wish that others from our church would know about this season of life and ministry for prayer and encouragement?
- What could I do from home to mobilize others from our church to partner with you in your ministry?
Asking good questions is a great way to serve a missionary by processing the joys and sorrows of their life overseas and learning how you can partner with them.
