Which field site or village does the Spirit of God lead you to? 神的灵把你带到哪个地点（城市或村庄）？

1. Prayer, research, and collaboration with others can be used by the Spirit to help lead workers to a specific field site or village. At times, the Spirit may guide one to an area where there is much spiritual need and little work currently occurring. At times, the Spirit may guide one to an area where there is a foundation of some work already, to use us to build on his current work and join with others.

2. The location of one’s work may also be tied to the business or platform one has. It is natural that people would locate in an area where they are able to fulfill the responsibilities of their business or platform.

3. Location may also be influenced by the educational needs of children or health needs of family members. For instance, if it is wise for children to attend an international school, it may be best to locate oneself within commuting distance of that school instead of a town far away.

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How do you get permission to stay? 你将如何获得居留许可？

Workers need a legitimate reason in the eyes of locals to live in a certain location. At times, they need specific permission to move there. Workers must consider how they will receive permission (if needed) to stay in an area. Permission will often be tied to their job, business, or platform. If serving in a different country, official permission is needed as a visa or work permit. At times, permission is given for education purposes. Newcomers are allowed to move to the country and study their language or culture. This may occur through studying in local language schools or taking formal language courses at a university.

1. Although a worker may or may not need official permission to live in a specific town, they should have a clear and acceptable reason for choosing to move there. This is especially important as they introduce themselves to neighbors and others in their community.

2. As an example, in one country in S.E. Asia, Western workers moved into a Muslim village. As they spoke with locals, they introduced their presence and purpose as follows: “Hello. We are from the country of ____. We have worked here for ____ years. We work with an organization which seeks to serve people within this country. Our organization is concerned with all aspects of life, including one’s health, education, economic opportunities, and spiritual lives. We know some people of this ethnic group and want to serve them. Our organization is allowing us to serve you in this ethnic group. They tell us, however, that if we want to serve you well, we must learn your language and culture. Our main job at this point is to learn your language and culture. We may need your help to do this. Our children attend a school in the city. It is not too far from here. Because of this, this community is a good place for us to live. We like being here.”

3. In the above example, the new family is giving an understandable reason for living in that area. Having an explanation like that prepared from the time one enters a new community is helpful. If part of the explanation includes the job responsibilities one has with their organization or business, this is helpful and can be naturally incorporated into their explanation.

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How will you make friends and relationships? 你将如何结交朋友和与人建立关系？

1. As one enters a community or city, they desire to make friends and build relationships. One natural connection is to deliberately seek to build relationships with those who live nearby them such as in the same apartment building or in a nearby house.

2. When making initial contact, it is wise for one to naturally state their reason to be in that area, such as described above. People should also look to the Spirit’s leading to make new relationships. Courage is often needed as developing relationships can be awkward or stressful. Workers should also consider ways that they naturally get to know others. This may be through sports they like to play, through food they like to eat or offer to others, through walks they take in the neighborhood, etc.

3. As one in new in a community, it is at times appropriate and needed to ask for assistance from others. This demonstrates humility but also is a practical help at times. For instance, one may ask where they can buy certain foods, where the nearest police station is, or who is a good doctor they can use. Besides these topics are ones of language. If the new workers are learning the local language, they may ask others around them if they can visit and practice their language, or even if they are available to help them learn language. Regardless of the reason, asking for assistance if a good step towards building new relationships in ones community. This action may be challenging, but it is often fun. It also can practically result in helping to have our needs met. God often uses relationships with locals to minister to us in new locations.

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How will you plan for and resource for pioneer living? 你将如何规划开拓性生活需要的资源？

1. Ministry in spiritually needy areas often involves what can be considered pioneer living. This may include difficulties in housing and food options, inconsistent healthcare, and even challenging weather conditions. Workers may find they have little access to conveniences they experienced in their former locations.

2. Pioneer living is, at times, part of the sacrifice one makes to serve God. Paul the Apostle modified his life in many ways to serve others, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Cor. 9:22). This represented an adjustment in his life and practices. He also endured many difficulties because he was a follower of Christ. This included not only persecution and dangers but also various discomforts such as hunger, thirst, and cold (2 Cor. 6:5, 11:23-27). The Lord Jesus himself said that at times “the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matt. 8:20.

3. While God does not intentionally desire his people suffer, he is aware it may happen to his children as they serve him. Suffering may be decreased if we plan ahead for pioneer living. Find out about the geography and weather in that area. Preparation may include purchasing specific clothing or supplies to bring as one moves. It may also involve deliberately buying local clothing in the new location. This clothing is effective for those residing there; it can be effective for newcomers as well. Many other local supplies may be appropriate, even if they differ from what one is accustomed to. Another aspect of planning is to acknowledge and be willing to accept hardships when they come. This requires personal reflection and strength from the Holy Spirit. Finally, we can prepare by diligently praying to God for wisdom, strength, and joy as we serve in new locations.

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How will you maintain your physical health? 你将如何保持身体健康？

1. God desires that his workers be as healthy as possible. He wants cross-cultural workers to thrive in all ways instead of simply surviving. This includes having healthy emotions, healthy family and team relationships, a positive walk with God, and good physical health. Although workers need to be prepared to suffer in various ways such as physical discomfort, spiritual opposition, resistance from others, and lack of one’s usual conveniences, they should still seek to maintain their physical health. This can include choosing to eat wisely, choosing to get adequate sleep, and exercising regularly.

2. Cross-cultural workers should have a family physician who they can visit. As workers enter a new area, they are likely not aware of what physicians are available. This presents a good opportunity for them to request assistance from locals around them. Those living in the area may have recommendations about family doctors and emergency clinics. New workers should seek to identify doctors and clinics soon after they arrive. This serves two purposes. First, it provides a prepared list of who to contact in case of illness or emergency. Second, it helps give a sense of peace and reduces the anxiety of living in a new area. When initial medical decisions are complete, workers may have more a sense of belonging or settling into their new location. 

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For a resource that helps maintain physical health there are two resources.  The first one is a series of videos made by a Christian hospital specifically for Chinese missionaries.  You can access that here: 

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The second resource is in text and is available here:  (button—text “Where There Is No Doctor” Mandarin)

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Managing emotional shocks/culture shock/culture stress 管理情绪冲击/文化冲击/文化压力

1. Cross cultural workers moving to a new area will experience emotional stresses and culture shock. Preparation can reduce the severity of cultural stress. However, workers should accept the fact that they will experience culture shock. Culture shock is defined as a “relatively short-term feeling of disorientation and discomfort due to the lack of familiar cues in the environment” (Martin & Nakayama, Intercultural Communication in Contexts, 2018, 39). One feels unease as their normal ways of living and responding are not effective in the new culture. The person may feel “lost,” not knowing how to function. Culture shock goes beyond not knowing the language. It includes being ignorant of how to function well in the new society. Because of this, culture shock can bring emotional disruption or stress. Individuals may feel lonely, believe that they do not fit, and express emotions of anger or sadness. Some workers may feel they have made the wrong decision in choosing to move to this new area. Even after much time has passed and the initial culture shock is reduced, there can be a continual experience of culture stress. Although not as severe as culture shock, culture stress or culture fatigue can bring discouragement, decreased energy, and anxiety.

2. It is important that people are aware of culture shock and culture stress. A plan to manage these often includes several approaches or “tools.” First, one should expect culture shock. Second, when they are experiencing culture shock and stress, they should acknowledge it is occurring. Third, it is often helpful to reflect on what is happening. For instance, one may come to the realization that they are feeling angry and stressed because they want to set up an internet connection and do not know how to do it and/or are angry because of the time it is taking. Finally, an important “tool” in managing culture shock and culture stress is to speak with others openly about that. Sharing our burdens with each other is biblical (Gal. 6:2). It also often helps to reduce the sense of stress. Speaking with locals about culture shock also allows workers to demonstrate vulnerability. This may even provide an opportunity for locals to practically help the newcomer, which can assist in developing relationships. Of course, we are also instructed to bring our burdens to God (1 Pet. 5:7). This may include our emotions and experiences of culture shock. Culture shock will naturally occur as workers move into new areas. Fortunately, it is usually reduced over time as one adjusts to the new culture. There is always hope for improvement.

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Maintaining spiritual health on the field  在禾场保持灵命健康

1. God desires that we walk with him closely in all circumstances. It is a challenge to maintain spiritual health in someone’s original location. It can be even more difficult to maintain spiritual health in a new ministry location where one is far from resources and familiar people. Of course, someone often has the Bible, God’s Word, available. In addition, God’s presence is promised to those carrying out his Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). Finally, he always hears us when we pray. These are foundations of continuing to pursue God and walk with him. However, God has not created us to be alone. He uses others in the body of Christ to help spur us on towards pursuing Him. This may include our spouse and family members, our teammates, local believers in the new area, or one’s home church or sending churches.

2. Maintaining one’s spiritual health glorifies God in many ways. It allows us to walk with and give thanks and praise to him. It provides joy in our own lives. It gives strength to face difficulties in ministry, opposition from others, and attacks from Satan. Finally, it is a wellspring of power, hope, and joy for ministry in the new location.

3. Cross cultural workers need to deliberately plan how they will maintain their spiritual health. This is often a combination of corporate involvement with others in the Body of Christ, Bible study, serving others, prayer, and personal devotions. It is challenging to maintain spiritual rhythms in a new location. However, strong spiritual health benefits our walk with God and ministry to others. Moving to new locations does provide the opportunity to begin new patterns of interacting with God and listening to his Spirit. This can contribute to joy and consistent spiritual health in difficult places.