A Life in Exile

As classes were beginning at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky, I had the privilege of speaking at a weekend retreat for women working toward a variety of degrees, but each with a desire to know more about how to reach Muslim women with the gospel. As you can imagine, it was a small group, and several had local or overseas experience among Muslims, so I can say I was working with the cream of the crop—women hungry to know more and to become more effective for future opportunities.

The setting was a beautiful and peaceful place, as we gathered in a large house, surrounded by trees overlooking a lovely pond. I could have easily extended my stay just to enjoy that view. I wondered, as a boomer, retired missionary, what I had to offer. Not only was I now far removed from my years on the field, but my age had me removed from the daily realities of life as a twenty-something Christian woman. Could I connect? Could I answer their questions?

We share out of our stories

As we began our time together, I quickly realized they were soaking up my teaching on serving as a woman among Muslims, contextualization, and the concept of shame and honor. Why? Because I had lived it, and was not afraid to share the hard parts along with the good. I shared my personal failings as a single woman on the field. I shared the challenges of serving as a married woman too. I talked about women who died without Christ and ultimately, how most of the countries where I served are now in worse shape than when I was there.

I started to wonder as we entered the second day if I had painted things a bit too bleak. Would any woman want to serve among Muslims after hearing my horror stories? During a break, a couple of the girls sat near me and began asking questions. I realized I had not deterred them in their calling but had perhaps opened their eyes to the realities of long-term service.

As the day wore on, I knew they were beginning to grasp the daunting reality of cross-cultural service—it’s not for the faint of heart. The challenges I faced would look different from those they would know, but the same God who called me was calling and equipping them, and He was trustworthy. As He helped me to learn from my mistakes and struggles, He would help them. He was with me. He would be with them.

A new generation of workers for the harvest fields

I knew that I was looking into the faces of women who would share the good news of Jesus Christ with a new generation of those without hope. We talked about the challenges of overseas ministry brought on by geopolitical changes. Political alliances were shifting, wars and economic struggles were changing the landscape and affecting attitudes toward Americans worldwide. Instead of moving toward a country with a long-term expectation, cross-cultural workers would need to adjust their thinking. What can be done in a short amount of time? What can be done from a distance? Will I need to look for pockets of my target people group in other countries?

The question of being able to handle the uncertainties of ministry life looms large on this generation, but I knew that as I shared the challenges, God would give them creative ways to approach future service. They could think outside the box in ways my generation could not, and they would adapt and adjust for His glory and to advance His kingdom.

The call to mission service can be a lonely place. As friends and family talk about their hopes and opportunities, the woman called to serve among Muslims is like a tree in the desert. I shared this passage, as I have always related it to the Muslim women who have come to faith and remain among their people, but now, as I think of these Christian women who are listening for the voice of God and following Him toward long-term service, I think it also applies to them.

I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive. I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, that they may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it. (Isa. 41:19-20 ESV)

Those young women, each with their unique background, faith journey, gifts, and talents, are trusting the Lord to plant them in the wilderness and desert lands where they will blossom and bear fruit that will draw people to Christ, knowing that only the Lord God can bring such a person to leave everything to be planted among Muslims for His Name’s sake.

Am I hopeful? Absolutely. Do they face a long, hard road? Absolutely. Is it worth it? More than they will ever dream or imagine. To God be the glory—great things He IS doing.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Mission Monday post, click HERE, or check out these other posts on women in missions: Don’t Forget the Wives, Am I Less Than?, Finding Balance, Love Them So They Ask Why, Frustrated Mothers, and Stand Your Ground.