Raising a child is one of the greatest responsibilities bestowed upon a married couple. The responsibility becomes ardours when the parents have to raise their children on the mission field. The tendency to neglect the family in favour of the missionary work is very high because the missionary work is very demanding. It is not only parents on the mission field who encounter these difficulties, pastors in the local churches and people who occupy leadership positions in the church also face these difficulties.
It is sad to say that some children who grew up with missionary parents became bitter and angry with God because of the neglect they suffered as children. It is never the will of God to break up a family unit for missionaries because sometimes it is the children that God will use to continue or preserve the missionary work of the parents. God counted the descendants of Abraham as an integral part of the fulfilment of His divine purposes and thus God expected Abraham to direct his household in the ways of the Lord. (Gen 18:19). In the same way, God also counts the children born to missionary parents as an integral part of their calling and they must not be neglected.
Missionary parents must appreciate the fact they are the first representation of God which their children experience. The nature of the relationship which these children will have with God largely depends on the image of God which these children see in their parents. Missionary parents must also appreciate the fact their lives are the godly example for the people they disciple on the mission field. How they raise their children and maintain the family unit has a great impact on these people. Indeed, the missionary may be hindered, if the family unit of the missionary is neglected (1Tim 3:5).
Here are a few tips on how to be a better parent on the mission field
- Have a family quiet time– Most Christian families are very familiar with having quiet times. But for a missionary family that is constantly on the move, these special moments when the family gathers to pray and study together becomes critical for the survival of the family unit. It becomes a time when the parents can interact with the children without outside influence. It also affords the children an opportunity to bond with their parents. The missionary parents must carefully plan these special moments with the family to get the best out of these times.
- Delegate missionary activities if possible– zeal for the work of the Lord is necessary for missionary work, but overzealousness can destroy your family unit. Delegate activities if it is possible so that you can make time for your family.
Involve the children in the missionary work– Co-working with your children is also key to maintaining the family unit because it gives the entire family a single focus. Parents who co-work with their children on the same missionary field also have a greater advantage to supervise the children in the ways of the Lord. But missionary parents must be careful not to overburden the children with missionary work or allow the missionary work to take priority in their interactions with the children, the parents must make time to talk to the children about other life issues so that the children can have a holistic approach to life.
