by Greg Mundis

-At What Price?-

I have recently been in contact with one of our missionary families in Europe.  Because it is important to me to respect their rights as a family, I will not mention their names, country, or physical crisis that precipitated my contact.

Nevertheless, what is going through my mind compels me to write a note for this month’s Eye on Europe Update. 

Is there a price to be paid in serving the Lord overseas?  The simple answer is yes.  The complicated answer, with layers of complexity, is that everyone who is a believer pays a price.  Somewhere in this spectrum is the price of serving the Lord outside of your home environment. 

Having personally served on the field for 18 years, I feel I have somewhat of a “front row seat” into understanding some of the price involved in serving overseas in a land that is not your country of origin. I certainly don't want to make it seem as if our missionaries are conscious of this price and are seeking sympathy from others. The vast majority will never let anyone know the price that is being paid.

All this said, I return our thoughts to the family in physical crisis mentioned in my first paragraph. An “easy” response to this crisis would be to “cut and run.” An understandable response would be for them to come back to the States for treatment.  Believe me, there are absolute critical times this is the only choice that can be made.  I have been a part of such a situation. 

However, this family's response was to choose to stay overseas and trust the Lord to aid them in finding good medical help. This was a decision that did not come easily to them in light of the country in which they serve.

I have known this family all their years on the field and, in every case of physical challenge (believe me, there have been numerous, serious ones), they have chosen to respond by weighing the situation and viewing the impact their decision might have on their family, the work, and the ministry, etc.  They have paid and continue to pay the price of not having "American" medical expertise.  They pay the price of not speaking in their mother tongue.  They pay the price of only striving to seek the will of God and trusting Him.  They pay the price of elevating their call and ministry and not only looking at their felt needs.  It costs.

I salute our team of missionaries.  The price is being paid in a thousand ways in hundreds of different lives every day.  Thanks for praying.  Thanks for giving.  Thanks for remembering your missionaries this holiday season.

Sincerely,

Greg Mundis
AGWM Europe Regional Director

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