I'm thankful I'm a missionary because ...
'Tis the season, in countries around the world, to give thanks. Canada celebrated Thanksgiving last month. In Russia and Ukraine, evangelical believers decorate their churches with the prettiest produce straight of out their gardens and thank God for his provision. Japan builds on an ancient harvest tradition by commemorating Labor Thanksgiving Day — a time to honor production and to thank one another. And in the US, the turkey is (hopefully) bought and folks are preparing to gather, all to give thanks.
As a missionary, you not only get to participate in other cultures’ Thanksgiving celebrations, you also develop a deep awareness of what a wonderful privilege it is to be used by God to build his Kingdom. And so, SEND missionaries tell us:
“I’m thankful I became a missionary because …”
There is nothing more exciting and fulfilling than to sit down with someone who is beginning to grasp spiritual truths and point them to Jesus. — Eileen Barkman in Japan
I’m so thankful because there is no other path I want to be on other than the one God calls me down. If I had said “no” to him, I would have missed out on the joy of reaching people who would not have heard if I hadn’t come. I could have continued with my comfortable life in the States, only to find myself wondering why nothing satisfied me and why I was bored out of my mind. There is no adventure like God’s path. That’s where I want to be.
— Giles Davis in Spain
My mind has been opened to God in a new way by learning a new language and culture, and by focusing on his Kingdom work in an unreached people group. My world and view of God are so much bigger now.
— AK in Taiwan
I get to make new friends and try out new things that I’ve never done before and eat new foods. And I get to share God’s Word with others. — Ellie, age 9, in a security-sensitive location
I’m thankful because being a missionary has allowed me first-hand access to the joy of seeing God work in people’s lives across a variety of cultures
, a deepened ability and need to rely on God
both for finances and as a single woman living abroad, and more self-confidence
. I never could foresee that figuring out how to connect a DVD player with Spanish instructions (but North American plugs) to a TV with Polish instructions with cables that I researched and bought online from Germany would bring me such a sense of accomplishment—an “I will make it here!” feeling. It’s a bit laughable to think about, but I appreciate how God used it to build my confidence and bring some humor in the sometimes quite difficult transition to life in a foreign country. — April McDonald in Poland
I have the joy of learning from believers in other cultures
and through them getting a bigger view of my great God. — EP, who served throughout Eurasia and now ministers to diaspora communities in the US
I’m thankful because being a missionary has made me starkly aware that I don’t “belong” anywhere here on earth. No place feels like home anymore. And that is a wonderful thing, since my citizenship is in heaven anyway.
— Darlene Armstrong Jovellanos in the Philippines
I get to see God work in mighty ways from a perspective I never had when I was in the US. — Amanda Benson at Faith Academy in the Philippines
Serving as a missionary has taught me to live for eternal things
, not earthly things that will pass away. — AB in a security-sensitive location
I’m thankful because I can see God’s mighty work in a cross-cultural setting. — Brandon in a remote village in Alaska
I’m thankful because of God’s grace in my life and the joy of following his calling. — Darwin Daquis in Thailand
I’m thankful because I have the privilege of training future church leaders in the Russian-speaking world. — Jerry Benge in Ukraine
I’m thankful I’m a missionary because I love Jesus . — Ella, age 8, in Siberia
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Additional Posts

Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?



