Leaving According to Plan

In June, we are returning to the United States from what will be about a two year stint in Costa Rica. Before the decision to return, during the process of returning, and I’m sure when we get back, we’ve had to at least ask ourselves why. If not for our own better understanding, it’s for the people around us who have the question.

 

In short, we are leaving according to plan.

 

Several things come to mind when I think of foreign missions. The thought on the forefront comes from general mission strategy that we learn in seminaries, Perspective courses, and any other book that one might pick up and read on this subject. However, it’s a thought or concept that is discussed a lot but very rarely put into action.

 

It’s the idea of working oneself out of a job and looking for an exit strategy from day one. I’m not suggesting that this is the strategy that has always been implemented by missionaries and agencies throughout the ages, and it might not be the future. But for now, this is pretty much the agreed upon trend – for different reasons. First and foremost, it’s the idea of supporting the national church with the belief that they can do a better job, through a better contextualization, than we could. Because in foreign missions, there are differences that are fundamental and difficult to overcome. That’s part of the challenges that missionaries face daily. How do we find an in so that we can introduce the Gospel? The thought is this: If there is a national who can do your job, then let him/her do it. Now that’s the issue that I’ll really address because that answers our question of leaving.

 

When people hear that we are returning to the States, the immediate question is “What happened?” I’m a little taken back each time because nothing has happened negatively. In fact, just the opposite. We have felt extremely blessed during these two years in Costa Rica, and many days, we find ourselves nervous about leaving. We have found our stride, so to speak. We are enjoying life and ministry. However, the Lord has answered our initial prayers.

 

From the outset, we have desired to be part of a pastor training movement that goes far beyond Costa Rica. As we were dreaming, we were content to be part of God’s mission in Costa Rica or wherever we found ourselves. Our original intent was never to remain in Costa Rica because we felt called here. For how long? Who knew? We feel called to the Gospel of Christ and to be even but a little part of the advancement of His kingdom. So to begin, it was Costa Rica.

 

Since inception, the Lord has seen fit to stretch and pull and throw us into positions of inadequacy. That means that He quickly gave us work in Costa Rica, but now in Bolivia, Cuba, Guatemala, and in the talks, Africa. Giving us this, He also saw fit to bring into our lives national leadership in these areas. Specifically in Costa Rica, He has brought a national into this work who is on the ground in the rural areas training pastors and leaders.

 

This has allowed us to focus on a role that is better played out in the States – a role that a national isn’t typically able to do. That’s our thoughts. We all play a role. And so we see our roles best played in the States. That’s going to mean being in front of churches and talking to technology distributors and traveling to countries to begin the processes and identifying leadership in other nations.

 

But as for Costa Rica…it will have a special place in our hearts. However, there’s no reason for us to be here. We are simply doubling up on a job that has been nationalized. The only reason for staying is to maintain a lifestyle that we have come to enjoy. Now, we are being stretched again. We are returning to the world that we chose to leave, knowing that the kingdom perhaps will be served better this way.

 

We are floating right now. For the first year, we will be in Memphis. After that, who knows? We have learned the lesson of not boasting about today or tomorrow. We are committed to the mission and the Gospel. We will go where needed. But right now, Costa Rica is just fine without us.

 

We look forward to the days ahead in Memphis and throughout the world. It’s been a crazy ride so far, and we imagine that Costa Rica was only the beginning of it.