Furlough Season

 

Is it weird to be back in the USA? How are your children doing? These are questions that we often hear since we have returned from Japan about two months ago now on a new furlough. Since originally going to Japan this is our third furlough return as a family since going on the field to do ministry many years ago. We try to stay in Japan for four years and come back to the USA for one year in cycles. It is not a requirement, just a decision that we made on how to do ministry. The last time we were in the USA was during the Covid season, so our furlough season was shortened as we were not able to meet many of our supporting churches! However, this time we will be in the USA for almost a full year to intentionally visit churches and people across the land.

Why even have a furlough? Furlough is the season for a missionary when they return to their native country to see family, report to churches, and rest. Mission agencies found that it is highly beneficial for long-term stability, even if a missionary does not seem to see its value. Even in modern times with constant connectivity on the internet it is important to invest actual furlough seasons. It is crucial for the missionary to have time to come back to his native land, be encouraged, raise additional support, see family, go to church, have important fellowship, minister to others, know his sending churches, encourage others to follow God's calling onto the mission field, and understand how his native country has changed. The fields are white, but laborers are few as Jesus said. Missionaries can greatly impact the local church for the cause of global missions in being used of God to inspire people to serve. What about other reasons?

For the Missionary child it is very important to take a furlough. For missionary children it is especially important to understand where they come from, what enables a missionary to do his work, what his home culture is, and what his identity is. Often times missionary children have a hard time in life understanding who they are, or what they are supposed to do. Are they called to the field as well? There are many sad stories about these children and their life struggles. Often times they can become entitled when people give them many gifts or they develop a victim mentality when people feel sorry for them for 'having to live overseas without a choice'. They need to develop an important biblical understanding of identity and balance in life in order to prepare for their future. So, the next time that you see a missionary child at your church, take some time to listen to them and talk with them. They will be grateful!

So, is it weird to be back in the USA? Short answer: Yes. Japan is the opposite of the USA in every way. However, it is also very comforting to be in the USA. We enjoy the freedom here, the peace, the graceful people, the common language, the nature, and the food. At the beginning of a furlough there is a honeymoon stage in which everything is wonderful. At this point in our journey we are at that stage. However, as time goes on that will change as we begin to think back to our ministry in Japan and the people there more frequently. There will be struggles to adjust in the USA as we see changes in churches, family, and friends – perhaps even deaths of loved ones. Finally, during the last stage, we will learn to continue on and be ready to journey back on the field Lord willing. Furlough season is a blessing from God for international ministries. We are glad to come and serve wherever we are at. We are thankful to God and the people who make that possible.