Two and a half years ago, nearly halfway through the completion of my degree, my family was called to go and serve with the International Mission Board in Madagascar. It was an incredibly exciting time of looking ahead, filled with plans of executing what I had learned in the halls of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Needless to say, things have not exactly gone according to plan, but there have been incredibly beneficial lessons learned along the journey.

Learn what you can … and then learn some more

This one is low-hanging fruit. Walking into a new country and culture is an overwhelming experience. Language learning is a full-time, never-ending, occasionally soul-crushing task. Cultural learning is a full-time, never-ending, occasionally mind-boggling task. Yet without them, survival in a new country and culture is impossible. Walk in ready to work and ready to learn — this process does not stop.

Over two years into language and culture and I still learn every single day. As soon as I feel I have grasped a concept or language nuance it changes or I learn a new way to use the word. Humility must define the heart of the learning missionary. If it does not, then learning will cease. And if learning ceases, then finding ways to speak gospel truth into the hearts and lives of those you are attempting to reach ceases.

Challenging the culture with the gospel

When stepping into a new culture, there are things that will inevitably confuse you. These are hurdles you must work through each and every day. You find yourself asking the “why” question so often: “Why do they do it that way? Why can’t they do it this way?” These are great questions to ask yourself because it will open culture to you and force you to think.

These questions should also drive the missionary to consider what aspects of culture stand in true opposition to the gospel. As I have had the pleasure to teach in villages, I have been forced to ask this very question. As God transforms hearts, he reveals to them what parts of their culture can exist with the gospel and what parts must be removed.

The missionary’s trap is to make these decisions on their own. We are the ultimate authority in many villagers’ eyes and what we say is what will be. However, we must work to avoid this trap. Scripture is what determines these things, not my word. So as we confront culture and work to see it transformed, we must lean solely on the Scripture and (slowly) work to form biblical conclusions that the people will understand and adopt. This can not be done in a day, but is the result of slow, often painful work.

Leave no one behind

Family matters, obviously. On the field, it is so easy to leave a spouse behind. Learning language and culture provides opportunities for competition and separation with your family. As both spouses jump into life and learning, it is easy to become disconnected and disjointed in life. This time of transition is incredibly delicate because the work, as essential and important as it is, can never take the place of your wife and children. I was blessed with professors at Southern that taught these lessons early and often; however, putting them into practice is another story entirely.

Continuing to learn your spouse is necessary. Speaking into their lives with the new challenges and difficulties is a minefield. You have to learn what will encourage them and push them to fulfill what God has called them to do and at the same time not overwhelm and crush their spirit. Knowing what your family needs in the new environment and culture is a steep learning curve. You can not just run to Chick-fil-A to get your wife that sweet tea you know will make her day better. Developing deeper communication and openness with your family is required if you are going to make it on the field.

Lessons learned are never-ending. Feeling lost and confused is a near constant. Relying on God’s grace in your life and your families is what enables the work. I am thankful for the lessons learned to this point and pray that God would allow me to continue learning more as he sustains us through service.

Chandler Snyder (pictured above) is a M.Div. student at Southern and an IMB missionary among the Antandroy people of Madagascar. Chandler and his wife, Kelli, along with their two daughters live in Ft. Dauphin, Madagascar.

 

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