Missions - Different Than I Expected
From Caleb, a medium-term mission worker.
A Balanced Perspective
Have you ever wondered what the life of a mission worker is really like? I was able to get a taste of it through a cross-cultural internship and it really helped build a balanced perspective.
When I arrived on the field, key parts of my internship included teaching English to locals and spending a considerable amount of time building relationships.
I played table games, ping pong, drank coffee, and even learned Thai Kick Boxing! I began to see that missions life is not some glorified life; it is living out life in Christ while doing regular things, but in a different culture and language and with a people who view the world differently than I do. In some ways it was not as difficult as I expected.
More Difficult Than I Thought
One the other hand, I learned that missions life can be more difficult than anticipated.
It was difficult to be away from home, especially during Christmas or when I had to miss my friend’s wedding. It was difficult when I got sick (for a month!) without familiar supports, and frustrating when I could not clearly express myself due to the language barrier.
However, I learned that despite the difficulties I cannot give up,
and
just because there were hardships, it did not mean that God had not led me there! I learned not to let these challenges slow me down but to continue doing what I was doing and enjoy the adventure as I was doing it!
In addition to these lessons, I discovered that as a mission worker, you never get to the place where you have learned everything there is to know
, particularly when it comes to ministry. Learning is ongoing and includes continuing to discover new methods of sharing the Gospel, new ways of reaching out to people, and learning things you should and should not say.
Looking to the Future
I was recently married and my wife, Raquel, and I are preparing to go overseas once again. We are excited about what God has in store for us!
Choosing an internship or missions opportunity can be overwhelming! We'd love to help you find an opportunity that matches your gifts and passion. Our experienced mission coaches are ready to connect with you!
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?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
