Most cross-cultural disciple-makers like me set aside scheduled time every few years for Home Assignment (or furlough). We pack up our belongings and return to our home country for several months or more. While it’s usually a refreshing time in many ways, it also involves a demanding travel schedule, many nights sleeping on guest beds, and too many hellos and goodbyes to count.

The travel restrictions of 2020 delayed Home Assignment plans for a lot of disciple-makers last year, which means you might see more missionaries visiting your church this year.

Speaking as one myself, we need your prayers during this time just as much as when we’re overseas! Here are three ways you can encourage us in prayer.

1. Pray for the ministry while we’re away.

The ministry doesn’t come to a halt just because we left for a few months. We know God continues to work and isn’t dependent on our presence to change lives. It would give us the greatest joy upon our return to be amazed at what he did in our absence!

On the team front, most disciple-makers work as part of a team and not as lone rangers. In addition to our American teammates, we’ve seen God raise up very capable local believers who take more ownership of the ministry while we’re away.

• Pray for growth in maturity as local believers learn to serve on their own.
• Pray for protection from the spiritual attacks of the enemy who seeks to discourage, divide, and destroy the ministry.
• Pray for us to trust God with the ministry that’s his anyway.

2. Pray for our family.

Home Ministry is not about taking a long vacation, but it does involve caring for our family. The strains and stresses of cross-cultural ministry are real, and we need occasional time away.

We’ll reconnect as a family and spend more time together than we have in the past few years (whether we like all the hours on the road or not!). It’s also a time for our kids to experience American culture and traditions.

• Pray for times of relaxation and renewal as a family.
• Pray for times of spiritual refreshment as we worship and listen to God’s Word in English.
• Pray for times of encouragement as we meet with friends and family.

3. Pray about your part in the ministry.

Another reason we take Home Ministry is to reconnect with ministry partners like you! We do our best to stay in touch through emails, photos, and videos, but there’s nothing like seeing each other face to face.

While we’re here, would you pray about your role in this ministry to the least-reached? We’re constantly amazed at how God is changing lives, and we don’t want you to miss out on being part of that kind of impact.

• Pray for the financial health of the ministry.
• Pray about making a special gift to help cover the increased cost of living and traveling in the U.S. for several months.
• Pray for God to connect us with new people who want to invest in reaching the least-reached with us. Ask God if there’s a way you could be a part of making those introductions.

For all my fellow disciple-makers who will be blessed by your prayers, thank you!

Crossworld worker Dave and his wife, Brenda, make disciples and lead a church in Ecuador.