The stress of being a missionary

As I was cleaning up stuff today, I found a paper I had written in seminary about the stress of being a missionary. Whoa. What timing. I thought I should share this with those walking this journey with us, then I hesitated because I don't want to look like I am fishing for comments about "how brave we are" or to come off as pitiful martyrs. But I decided to be transparent and let you in on what being a missionary really looks like- beyond the smiling pictures and emotional videos we see at church. I hope it will help you know how to pray for us more specifically.

Here are my warnings- 1. This is a long post and there are no pictures. I mean it was a graduate paper after all- about 10 pages. 2. Mom don't read this (or anyone else prone to worrying about us). 3. Knowing all of this, we are still leaving on Monday because we trust God is in control and his children in C.A.R. are worth it.


Read on....

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!" (Isaiah 52:7) While the Church upholds the beauty of the feet carrying the Gospel message, it far too often ignores the painful scars and sores acquired while walking in the mission field. “Being a missionary can be very dangerous. . . . Overseas ministry can be peppered with years of direct experience with an exposure to crime, psychological intimidation, military and terrorist threats, kidnappings, armed coercion, torture, rape and murder. Repeated robberies and home invasions by burglars, soldiers, and terrorists are not uncommon.”[1]  One research study revealed 94% of missionaries reported being exposed to trauma while on mission and 86% of those reported repeat exposures.[2] “Trauma, by definition, involves experiences that overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope and hence to make sense of certain life event.”[3] The trauma experienced by missionaries has been compared to the stress and combat endured by Vietnam soldiers. International relief and development workers are listed alongside fireman, police officers, and soldiers as having a high potential for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.[4] Even ordinary life events can be traumatic on the field. Far too many missionaries are the “walking wounded,” thus closer attention needs to be paid to missionaries, their families, and their care.

            For married missionaries, the marriage relationship often suffers greatly while serving on the field. One of the first obstacles missionary couples must overcome is relocating to a different country. The moving process has been reported to be among the most traumatic experiences in a missionary’s life. The couple faces new and different languages, cultures, and lifestyles. This culture shock can have a profoundly negative effect. With relocation, couples leave behind the familiar, including their support network- their family and friends. High levels of stress occur during this transition which in turn affects the marriage. For some couples working over seas, the adaptation period takes a few months, yet there others take years to adapt. A study of 38 missionary couples found that the first term appointment (the time between candidacy and the first furlough) produced the greatest level of stress in marriage. Marital dissatisfaction increased more during this time than any other time in the missionaries’ careers. However, the dissatisfaction did not decrease during subsequent appointments- they did not return to their pre-missionary baseline. Time was not enough to heal all wounds. While marriages may be jeopardized during missionary service, they are extremely important in the effectiveness of the missionary. Often, spouses are the only available support system while the couple is adapting to a new and foreign lifestyle.

            Men and women experience the stressors of missionary life differently. Female missionaries in particular report feeling stress during transition periods. Women often overeat, lose interest in sex, and experience periods of crying, headaches, fatigue, and depression when struggling to adjust to life abroad. Men on the other hand do not exert the same severity of symptoms. Surveys show this is partly due to the fact that the men are often the ones engaged in the full time ministry and thus they temper their stress with the satisfaction from their work. [5] Data shows women may not be at more risk for experiencing trauma than men, but they are more prone to permanent change resulting from the stress and trauma of mission work.[6] Isolation and confinement, both social and cultural, seems to affect women far more than it does men.

Burnout may be higher for women than men due to the roles they feel they must take on. Women face unique cross cultural stressors due to the multiplicity of roles they assume and the constant changing of those roles. Female missionaries report stress in representing the whole religion of Christianity to the country they reside. Such representation causes pressure to fulfill unrealistic role expectations. A major influence on role stress is the differing expectations of the host country from the woman’s country of origin. Roles for women may be limited in countries that hold traditional gender views. For example female missionaries in Islamic countries will only be allowed to minister to other women. This can be particularly frustrating to women who are highly educated and trained, yet limited to the roles they are allowed to fulfill based on gender and not ability. Role strain for women occurs not only while ministering, but also in their homes. There is a tension in missionary women between family demands and their work. Women correlate the amount of satisfaction in their marriage with the amount of freedom they had in choosing their roles whether it be staying at home or actively working in the field. Missionary wives ranked “spousal support” of their role choices as one of the most important factor to marriage well-being.[7]

            Missionary life not only affects husbands and wives, it also has a great impact on the rest of the family. The birth of a baby is one of the most stressful events in the lives of any couple. This experience can be exacerbated while serving in a foreign land. Couples entering parenthood during their first term will experience significant parenting related stress. One pregnant missionary in Romania faced an impossible decision: have her baby in the unsafe Romanian hospitals, cross the border to Hungary where the healthcare was somewhat better, have her baby at home which is illegal in Romania, or leave her ministry to travel back to the United States. For the birth of her first child, the missionary and her husband opted to go to Hungary. She was unable to communicate effectively with the staff because she did not speak the language. This caused a great deal of stress and she was unable to have the kind of birth she desired. She felt she had no control over her body or the situation. For the birth of her second child, with much distress she felt she had to leaver her ministry and travel back to the US. This is just one example among many of the stressors facing new parents.[8] “Coping with the task of adjusting to both parenting and a new culture can be presumed to be very taxing for missionary couples, and parenting habits that become relied upon at this stage will have a large impact on the emotional health of missionary children.”[9] Some studies suggest that the transition to the mission field is slightly easier for families with older children because they do not have the added stress of adjusting to parenthood while on assignment. But parents with older children face other obstacles. One of the most stressful periods for missionary parents in the raising of their children is the adolescent phase. In addition to the normal stressors of adolescence, growing up in a foreign environment brings extra challenges. The teens are faced with two models of adulthood- that of their parents and that of the host environment. Parents struggle with the proper guidance of their children as they help navigate them toward becoming adults. Whatever developmental stage missionary children are in, it is extremely important to safeguard them. Research has shown that men who do not adequately balance their family life with their ministry life end up damaging their families. Wives and children experience frustration and depression if the husband/father’s first priority is his ministry and not his family. Often the damage is not seen immediately. [10] Missionary stress has even been linked with dissociative disorders in adult missionary kids.[11]

            Other factors such as finances and age affect the well being of missionaries and their families. Missionaries often make extreme financial sacrifices. While it is essential for husbands and wives to be independent of their extended family, as Genesis 2:24 says for a man to leave his father and mother, missionaries often rely on the financial support of family, friends, and churches. Frustration is a natural result of such a dependency. Also, there is an unrealistic and unhealthy expectation in the minds of missionaries that they must live the most aesthetic life possible. Adhering to strict aesthetic guidelines can not only be stifling to a family, it can also become a hindrance to their ministry. Couples with children feel more pressure when it comes to finances. Missionary parents often worry that they are not providing enough for their children’s needs.[12] As far as age is concerned, missionaries under the age of forty experience more stress than their older peers, are less likely to extend their commitment, are more vulnerable to trauma and burnout, and have higher frequency and intensity of emotional exhaustion. The data suggests that it is not a matter of maturity as much as it is a matter of difference in generations.[13]

If missionaries manage to endure the inevitable stressors of relocation, marriage conflict, children, financial strains, and age, there still lies the potential that which is uncontrollable- trauma. “Traumatic incidents are particularly common in unstable socioeconomic environments marked by prevalent poverty and high crime rates. Politically unstable countries have a reduced ability to enforce law and order and, therefore, may have higher rates of burglary, robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, rape, assault, civil unrest, or war.”[14] These unstable socioeconomic climates are often where missionaries go to meet the unreached. Over 200 missionaries in West Africa were surveyed and 91% reported that they had experienced at least one severe traumatic event while working overseas. The traumatic events included sudden and immediate evacuations, serious medical illness, exposure to fighting, civil unrest or war, violent robberies, and threats to family members or close friends. Overall, 20.6% of the missionaries surveyed qualified for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.[15] Surprisingly, the severity of the stressor has not been correlated with the severity of stress. Studies have shown that non-catastrophic events have caused more permanent damage than catastrophic events. One study found that over a third of missionaries studied with traumatic stress related to their missionary endeavors had continuing symptoms ten years after leaving their position.[16] Trauma can destroy the physical, mental, and spiritual well being of many dedicated missionaries.[17]Irvine quotes one missionary’s experience with traumatic stress, “There’s a deep place inside of me that knows what it is like to feel incredible pain. A friend with whom I’ve shared much described it as having my soul raped.”[18]

Amazingly, missionaries have proved to be quite resilient in regards to the overwhelming amount of stressors and traumatic events they face. Research done by Bagley reveals missionaries in fact have a greater resistance to trauma than the average person from North America.[19] Missionaries may be less susceptible to post traumatic stress than other people due to their pre-established coping skills. Since missionaries choose their occupation with the anticipation of hardships, they have a better ability to adapt to the challenges. Missionary coping ability may also be related to their faith. Missionaries tend to have a higher acceptance of risk and suffering for the sake of a purpose to which they are strongly committed.[20] They also have a greater capacity for finding good in the bad. Two thirds of the missionaries analyzed by Irvine identified positive outcomes from the trauma and stress they endured while serving. One participant in the study said he experienced a deeper trust in God’s sovereignty and a greater awareness of God’s presence even in the midst of suffering.[21]

However resilient missionaries may be, frequent and repeated stress may overwhelm their coping skills.[22] Therefore, member care is extremely important for missionaries. Member care is a term describing the efforts of missionary agencies, human resource agents, and mental health professionals working together to meet the needs of missionaries. While the church has had a tenuous relationship with psychotherapy, more and more missionary organizations are providing mental health services to missionaries, seeing it as a “Biblical responsibility.”[23] The practice may be growing, yet the majority of missionaries are still an “unreached people group.” One study showed only 10% of the missionaries questioned received any kind of stress management training before starting their missionary journey.[24] Usually only missionaries in severe emotional or physical distress receive attention. Those that do no meet the extreme requirements are often left to care for themselves. If they are unable to recover from the trauma on their own, many missionaries feel powerless, shamed, inadequate, and angry. Feelings of moral and emotional weakness are also common. According to Grant, many missionaries in such scenarios look to dissipate the pain by engaging in various addictions. “Addictions serve several purposes. They provide predictable, consistent, private, and readily available ways to alter distressing and uncontrollable feelings and thoughts. The best addictions are those which are hard for others to discover, e.g., alcoholism, compulsive masturbation, as well as workaholism, and codependency.”[25] The absence of a caring and understanding environment is often more damaging than the trauma itself.

      There have been many proposed plans for the prevention and treatment of the stress and trauma amongst missionaries, unfortunately the research on effective treatment plans has not been as plentiful as the research on the cause of the stress and trauma. Grant criticizes referring missionaries to outside agencies unfamiliar with the missionary lifestyle.[26] However, research by Rosik and Richards has shown missionaries actually prefer professionals not related to their sending organization because they are perceived as less biased. They are also more assured of the confidentiality of the sessions. The same missionaries reported dissatisfaction with the support provided by their organizations. There was an overall sense of lack of concern on the organizations’ part. The missionaries felt more emphasis placed on the agenda of the agencies and interests rather than on their well being. The same study revealed missionaries highly favored pastoral visits as a form of member care, reporting pastoral visits from their home church demonstrated a real concern and love for them. [27] Regardless of who provides care, treatment needs to include a safe and trusting place where missionaries can discuss the traumatic events and their feelings. This provides awareness for the missionary and allows them to make sense of what has happened. Empowerment should be the focus of care. Grant recommends a five tier approach to treatment: 1. regular debriefing and renewal processes, 2. experientially oriented group work to help missionaries connect with their hearts and bodies, 3. ongoing support groups, 4. adequate preparation for missionaries to be able to identify and prevent Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and 5. a development of spirituality of missions not based on martyrdom.[28]

Missionaries are exposed to stressors that go beyond the normal work environment. They face new, unpredictable work situations and an around the clock work schedule. In addition, they have the pressure of representing God. Without proper care, stress and family dissatisfaction can result in missionaries leaving the field. In 1994, the cost to the agency per family that left their appointment was $60,000. No doubt the number has increased in the last 15 years. The emotional cost to the family is exponentially higher.[29] The first term appointment is critical for missionary well-being. It has been identified as the key time for mental health care. Missionaries entering parenthood and guiding their children during critical years need to be closely monitored. Men and women may experience missionary life and need tailored interventions. Both will require intense help in times of crisis and trauma. The feet of those who bring the good news may be beautiful, but we should always be mindful of Proverbs 6:28, a man cannot walk on hot coals without his feet being burned.

---

[1] Robert W. Bagley, "Trauma and traumatic stress among missionaries." Journal of  Psychology & Theology 31.2 (Sum 2003): 98

[2] Robert W. Bagley, "Trauma and traumatic stress among missionaries."

[3] Robert Grant, "Trauma in Missionary Life." Missiology 23.1 (Jan. 1995), 71

[4] Robert W. Bagley, "Trauma and traumatic stress among missionaries."

[5] Christopher H, Rosik, and Jelena Pandzic, "Marital satisfaction among Christian missionaries: A longitudinal analysis from candidacy to second furlough." Journal of Psychology and Christianity 27.1 (Mar. 2008)

[6] Julie, Irvine, David P. Armentrout, and Linda A. Miner, "Traumatic Stress in a Missionary Population: Dimensions and Impact." Journal of Psychology & Theology 34.4 (Dec. 2006)

[7] Elizabeth Lewis M. Hall and Nancy S. Duvall.. "Married Women In Missions: The Effects Of Cross-Cultural And Self Gender-Role Expectations On Well-Being, Stress, And Self-Esteem." Journal of Psychology & Theology 31.4 (Dec. 2003):

[8], Marlene Waechter, "A Home Away From Home Birth." Midwifery Today (Sep. 2003)

[9] Christopher H, Rosik, and Jelena Pandzic, "Marital satisfaction among Christian  missionaries: A longitudinal analysis from candidacy to second furlough.", 13

[10] Christopher H, Rosik, and Jelena Pandzic, "Marital satisfaction among Christian missionaries: A longitudinal analysis from candidacy to second furlough."

[11]Julie, Irvine, David P. Armentrout, and Linda A. Miner, "Traumatic Stress in a Missionary Population: Dimensions and Impact."

[12] Christopher H, Rosik, and Jelena Pandzic, "Marital satisfaction among Christian missionaries: A longitudinal analysis from candidacy to second furlough."

[13] Julie, Irvine, David P. Armentrout, and Linda A. Miner, "Traumatic Stress in a

Missionary Population: Dimensions and Impact."

[14] Frauke C Schafer.; et al. "Traumatic events and posttraumatic stress in cross-cultural mission assignments." Journal of Traumatic Stress 20.4 (Aug. 2007)530

[15] Frauke C Schafer.; et al. "Traumatic events and posttraumatic stress in cross-cultural mission assignments."

[16] Julie, Irvine, David P. Armentrout, and Linda A. Miner, "Traumatic Stress in a Missionary Population: Dimensions and Impact."  

[17]  Robert Grant, "Trauma in Missionary Life."

[18] Julie, Irvine, David P. Armentrout, and Linda A. Miner, "Traumatic Stress in a Missionary Population: Dimensions and Impact." 332

[19] Robert W. Bagley, "Trauma and traumatic stress among missionaries."

[20] Frauke C Schafer.; et al. "Traumatic events and posttraumatic stress in cross-cultural mission assignments."

[21] Julie, Irvine, David P. Armentrout, and Linda A. Miner, "Traumatic Stress in a Missionary Population: Dimensions and Impact."

[22] Frauke C Schafer.; et al. "Traumatic events and posttraumatic stress in cross-cultural mission assignments."

[23] Christopher H., Rosik, Alicia Richards, and Ty Ann Fannon. "Member Care Experiences and Needs: Findings from a Study of East African Missionaries."

[24] Robert W. Bagley, "Trauma and traumatic stress among missionaries."  

[25] Robert Grant, "Trauma in Missionary Life.", 79

[26] Robert Grant, "Trauma in Missionary Life."

[27] Christopher H., Rosik, Alicia Richards, and Ty Ann Fannon. "Member Care Experiences and Needs: Findings from a Study of East African Missionaries."

[28] Robert Grant, "Trauma in Missionary Life."

[29] Christopher H., Rosik, Alicia Richards, and Ty Ann Fannon. "Member Care Experiences and Needs: Findings from a Study of East African Missionaries."