This post is continuing a blog series on preparing for the mission field. In former posts we have surrender, serving in your local church, internships, deputation, arriving on the field, and a few other things along the way. This post is about setting up. The degree of setting up is really dependent on a lot of things. For example, some missionaries are able to ship a container of the things they already own. Some missionaries are not able to do so. This can depend on the country the missionary is going to or can be a decision made on preference. These sorts of decisions determine how involved setting up on the mission field will be. When we arrived in Argentina, we brought everything we could in duffle bags. We had to buy mattresses, kitchen items, a kitchen table, couches, coat hangers, an iron, etc.

So why is this so complicated? Well because the missionary is brand new to the field, most likely doesn’t know the language, nor how much things cost, or even where to go to buy such things. Here are some things to keep in mind while setting up…

• You are different, people know you are different, and people may take advantage of you because of that. Even if this happens, you need to keep the right attitude.  Your family is watching and will share the same attitude toward the people that you do.
• They may not have exactly what you are “looking for”. We live in one of the largest cities in the world so you can find a lot of things here, but you may have to pay much more for it! Styles are different and the American style you are accustomed to may not be available.
• Rooms to Go may not be an option. In many countries, when you buy a couch or a kitchen table, they have to make it. I quickly learned that when we were told that it would be 2-3 weeks, that meant 1-2 months. You may find that no one is in hurry. It is just going to take time.
• If you ship a container, you may find out that there are added fees for getting the container out of the port in your new country. The shipping country will make promises and many times they may be right, but sometimes the guys working at the port see an opportunity to make some extra cash. If this happens, the best option is to pay them, get the container, and move on. You will lose any argument with them, and if you leave it in the port because they didn’t resolve it, you may end up having to pay a storage fee. Just pay it and move on.

There is a way around this. It is a huge help to have someone on the field (like a veteran missionary) who can help guide you. That makes the whole process much smoother. It is best to get everything set up before starting language school. This can be a really fun time, or it can be miserable, you decide how it will be. So be ready, be patient, and try to keep a good outlook.

We have had a family that has been coming to the church for a little over a month now. They invited us to their home to celebrate the son/grandson’s birthday. They were curious about salvation having heard about it in the messages at church. On Monday we were at their home celebrating the birthday and they started asking more questions about salvation. After a good conversation, all four of the family members believed on Jesus for their salvation! It was a blessing for us to be a part of such a beautiful night. Please pray for Antonio, Maria, Janet, and Edwin as they now enter into their new lives in Christ! Pray for young Diego that he will one day believe on Jesus.

This time of year is known as “mission conference season” to missionaries. We have found that many churches have their annual mission conference in September-November or March-April. Whether you host your mission conference in the fall, the early spring, or another time of the year, I recommend that you have in Jeffrey Bush as the keynote speaker. I have been in many mission conferences across the United States. I have heard many great keynote speakers that encouraged and challenged each church member and missionary present. I believe Jeffrey Bush is at the top of that list. Allow me to explain why I believe this…

• Jefferey Bush was a successful missionary. Jeffrey was a missionary in Argentina. He started 5 churches that are still going and are led by nationals. He knows what missions is, he can explain it, he knows the need and he has seen God work in his ministry.
• Jeffrey Bush has been around the world helping other missionaries in their ministry. Jeffrey has assisted missionaries in Peru, Chile, Bolivia, the United Kingdom, Nepal, China, South Africa, and many other countries around the world. He knows about the different challenges that missionaries face in their specific part of the world.
• Jefferey Bush can preach the Bible. I was at a church where the pastor told me that most missionaries just “can’t preach”. He meant by that statement that many missionaries are not “dynamic enough” to challenge the church people. Sadly this is not an uncommon opinion (I would like to challenge such a thought, but this is not the post for that). I can tell you confidently that Jeffrey preaches Bible messages that will stir your hearts and challenge everyone. He is not boring. What he preaches is engaging and biblical.
• Jeffery Bush genuinely cares about people. I have heard incredible messages by dynamic preachers. My heart has been stirred. I have wanted to meet them and talk with them, but sometimes it is hard to meet them, or if I did get to meet them, it was a quick handshake. Jefferey will get to know people in your church, talking with them before and after the services.

There is much more that could be said about Jefferey Bush. Whether you are having a mission conference or a mission emphasis Sunday, Jeffery would be ideal as the guest preacher.

Jeffrey Bush is always scheduling meetings with churches and christian schools and he is also assisting missionaries on the foreign field throughout the year. The best way to contact him would be by email at: info@visionmissions.com.