Hard Seasons

You may or may not have noticed that our blog has been quiet lately. The truth is that I’ve written a ton and shared none of it. This has been a hard season, and I didn’t have anything nice to share about it. It’s stunk really. So, I turtled. I use this term with my students, meaning to close up into yourself and not let others in. It’s my go-to when times are tough, but recently I’ve been challenged in sharing the hard times. Even while on the mission field. Maybe especially while on the mission field. I read where the majority of missionaries don’t feel they can let their guard down. They feel that supporters really just want to hear about the good times, the salvations, and see the pretty pictures. But the reality is that if the fathers of faith had done that then there would be a lot more emphasis put on Acts 2 and a lot less on the beatings and backstabbings that Paul took. So maybe, if more were said about the difficulties of living a life in ministry, then we wouldn’t feel so alone. 

As I write this, we are at a retreat center that ministers to pastors, missionaries, and others in ministry. There is an older couple here who cook for us, and take care of everything. But really, it’s their ministry of presence that I have loved. They haven’t asked a ton of questions, and they’ve expected nothing. They’ve allowed us to just be. If I were writing in the New Testament, they’d be one of those people that Paul mentions as helping him in his time of need. Speaking for other missionaries, I’d say, providing a place for us to be safe, and decompress with all expectations removed is pivotal.  For my fellow peeps in ministry, I highly recommend Quiet Waters. 

I read the following on someone’s page, and it resonated with me. Maybe it will with you too. 

Missionaries Are People Too

Missionaries aren’t perfect saints.

They’re not spiritual superheroes.

They’re just people—ordinary, simple, human people.

When they move overseas, their problems don’t vanish. In fact, they’re often amplified.

Loneliness. Marital tension. Burnout. Doubt.

All of it goes with them. And then? It’s placed under a microscope.

So next time a missionary visits your church, remember:

They don’t need a pedestal—they need a place to rest.

They don’t need your applause—they need your understanding.

They don’t need you to assume they’re okay—they need you to ask.

They need a good laugh.

A vacation.

A cozy meal and a safe space to not be okay.

Let’s stop expecting perfection.

And start offering real support. -Esther Russell