Even as we celebrate the 12 days of Christmas, let’s be sure to remember the missionaries who are away from home, striving to bring people into the kingdom.

From TGC. Frank Sinatra crooned the words of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Twinkle lights sparkled red and green in the darkness. The scent of woodsmoke swirled around me. Home. I savored the sound, the look, the smell, the feel of home around the holidays.

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Join others crying out to the Lord day and night.

Then a motorbike swerved in front of me, and the spell was broken.

Sinatra was just playing through my headphones. … I was nowhere near home. Instead, I was 7,665 miles away from my family because I serve as a cross-cultural worker.

Far from Home for the Holidays

In Christmas stories, it’s a common trope that a person is away from home for the holidays. And yet, he or she magically finds light, love, and community in a place that instantly becomes a home away from home. Anyone who has actually spent a holiday away from his or her family knows it doesn’t feel like a rom-com. … Homesickness can be triggered by an image, a smell, or a memory. …

How to Help

Since holidays are hard for cross-cultural workers and missionaries, it’s pretty easy to encourage us during these seasons. Here are some ways you can help.

1. Pray for missionaries.

We serve a loving God who knows us intimately. Pray for us to see God’s love in personal ways. Pray for him to provide little touches of home on a foreign field.

2. Share your holiday events with them.

Is there a Christmas program your church is recording or streaming? … Share links with us. …

3. Send a Christmas card.

Even if you’re not close friends with a missionary, she’ll be thrilled to receive mail from you. …

4. Send a box.

International shipping is pricey, but there’s nothing quite as magical as receiving a box of surprises. …

5. Arrange a Zoom prayer call.

Last year, my prayer team from my sending church surprised me by having the elders and their families join our call. … You can arrange a group from your church or use social media to pull together a group of the missionary’s friends. …

6. Bless families financially.

Sending missionaries a little extra money via a cash transfer app can allow them to take their kids on a trip, buy a special gift, or go out to eat at a restaurant that tastes like home. …

7. Bless singles relationally.

[Singles] can struggle to make holidays special because there’s a lack of continuity from year to year. Reach out to those who are single and let them know you remember them. …

8. Pray for gospel conversations.

Nationals are often curious about Western holidays, which means these challenging seasons are gospel opportunities. Pray for grace and alertness to make the most of invitations to share the reason for the season. …

How are you praying for missionaries overseas? Share your prayers and scriptures below.

(Excerpt from TGC. Photo Credit: Canva)