Are Sending Organizations Supporting The Senders?

It's been five weeks since For Those Who Send: Prayers For Those With Loved Ones Serving Abroad was released, and in that time I have received countless messages letting me know how grateful people are for this resource. One email in particular, written by the mother of a global worker, really touched my heart and summed up exactly why I wrote this book. I asked her if I could share her words with you, and she graciously agreed.

Heather, 

Thank you for writing your book, For Those Who Send. Your words spoke to my heart deeply. I am grateful. Our daughter, son in law and two children have been global workers for the past 14 years, seven in East Asia and now in the Middle East. When I read "For Parents Who Send" I felt for the first time there was someone who understood the deep feelings I have. You would think we would be used to it by now but I must say as parents getting older the goodbyes get harder and harder. We support fully, prayerfully and with love their ministry. Thank you for putting words to the cost to families left behind. It is my prayer that more churches, and sending organizations would support and encourage the parents and families of goers. We feel forgotten by our local church and sending organization. Our daughter and family were here for a short term home visit. We had not seen them for two years. They returned [overseas] the end of August and boy this goodbye was hard. 

Thank you again for your words that spoke to my heart and soul. My prayer is that parents of goers will be encouraged, know they are not alone and that sending organizations would do better at supporting the families of goers. My prayer to is for all the long term global workers who serve that they would feel loved, supported and encouraged. 

All the best,

L

I wish I could send L's letter to every sending organization and supporting church, to remind them that the families of those who go need their support and care. When we neglect to care for the loved ones making the sacrifice to send, we are missing out on an important ministry to the people who make the "going" possible.

Part of caring well for people who serve abroad is caring for the ones they leave behind. Organizations and churches owe it to the people they are sending abroad to equip them to support their senders well. Those who go don't always know how to help their senders process grief while they are working through their own. Organizations can help fill in that gap.

That is why I wrote For Those Who Send. I would love to see more orgs and churches providing this book to those they send and the families that are left behind as a resource to acknowledge the sacrifice and grief of senders and give them words to process and pray through it. It's time we make sure the senders know that they matter, and are deserving of care.

Are you one who has been sent? How has your sending org equipped you to care for those who send you?

Are you a sender? How have you felt supported and cared for by your local church or those you send?

Are you with a sending organization? Are you ready to take the next step to provide more support and care for the senders?

I'd love to hear from you in the comments or in an email!