Measure 1: Love God First

This is not funny. I know you will say “Of course I love Him. That’s the reason I accepted the call in the first place.” MISSIONARY, be sure! Take some time and really talk to God. You will need His reassurance and His love for your time as a missionary and for the rest of your life.

Julie-Ann Bocock - Japan

“I’m going out as a student missionary this year because I feel that it is God’s will for me. I believe He is challenging me to step out in faith, to deepen my relationship with Him and to see His power in action.”

Les Gueffroy - Korea

“Several months ago I reread a text, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us.” So I replied to Jesus, “Here I am, send me.” Then a recruiter came to our Red Deer, Alberta church and both my wife and I thought, ‘This is it.’ So here we are.”

Nora Gueffroy - Korea

“I cherish the joy of being with Jesus - the Heavenly joy of blessing the lives of others. I desire to bring joy to His heart by letting Him develop His divine compassionate love in me. I am becoming unwilling that anyone should perish.”

Michael Smith - Japan

“The Lord has shown me that true happiness comes from being willing to give myself to His work. To put on Christ’s character and be transparent so they only see Christ. Missions will change my life.”

Jessica Rios - Japan

“Jesus died and gave His life for me, that is why it is a privilege to serve the Lord overseas as a student missionary.”

Darcia Gillham - Japan

“A friend of mine thought it would be fun if we went to Japan and God removed all reasons not to go. My friend has since pulled out, but God has kept on showing this path to take, so here I am.”

James Schultz - Kazakhstan

“To learn more about what God has planned for my life. Understand different cultures and how to reach people at different levels.”

Esmine V Townsend - Korea

“Mainly, I would like to share God’s bountiful blessings and loving kindness with others who have not heard of God. Secondly, I would like to learn from another culture, virtues such as acceptance, respect, patience and politeness.”

Measure 2: Pray

Make the effort! Take the time! Do it! There are so many distractions out there that even the missionary can forget to pray. You don’t want to pray only when you have a problem. Do you?

It is our human nature to just cash in on God in hard times. Oh! I didn’t tell you - there WILL be hard times. In your first two weeks you may want to leave. However, the love of God is able to keep anyone who places Him first. Pray!

“Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:10

Caution! PRAY!

Do you know that there are dead missionaries? I refer to the ones who do not pray. It is said that “prayer is the breath of the soul.” Obviously, one who does not pray is dead or nearly dead. Can that person enjoy the missionary experience? DON’T BE CAUGHT!

Measure 3: Talk to Yourself

Many people call this behavior madness. However, an equal number have found positive self talk very rewarding. It’s good!

Measure 4: School Yourself on God

Forget the culture shock everyone has told you about. There is a person you may not know too well - YOURSELF. This person can be most difficult to deal with. Begin to school the self you think you know with the solid promises of God. I cannot over emphasize the need to hang in with the God of your life.

Measure 5: Know

...that He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Phil. 1:8

Measure 6: Believe

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13

Measure 7: Understand

And the Lord, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee. Fear not, neither be dismayed. Deut. 31:8

Measure 8: Give Full Term Service

Since you have pledged the entire time to God and you are confident of His help in time of need, you should have little problem staying for the entire time. You have determined that come what may you will serve the Lord and the Lord is pleased with that kind of dedication. You, the Volunteer, are guaranteed a rich and full experience in the Lord.

NOTE! I did not say a problem free experience.

Measure 9: Make Things Happen

This advice was given me by an older friend and it worked. The experience is yours. Do not leave it in the hands of others! If you strive to make it what you want it to be, with God’s help, there is no doubt that you will be a blessing to others: your goal will be met.

Get busy!

If you wait for opportunities they may never come. Get up and find them! Take them!

Measure 10: Enjoy

People are the same wherever you go. Enjoy them for who they are and look beyond their faults. It is true that missionaries in a foreign land are exposed to different customs, practices and food. These are the things which make the experience rich.

Leave the luxuries at home; that is where they belong. Take the necessities only. Spend for others if you may, but absorb the new life. If you harp on the have-nots you are already losing out on the rewards of the challenge. Rise above the setbacks and at the end say, “The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.” Psalms 126:3.

Stephanie Hulin - Korea

“When I was on the Andrews University Photo Tour in Tanzania, Africa I felt impressed to dedicate at least one year of my life to service work after I graduated. I tried to get an internship with ADRA as a Communications Officer, but those doors kept closing. God led me to the SDA Language Institute of Korea instead.”

Volunteers to the Guam-Micronesia Mission