Missionary Hardships

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by Bill Rudge

For those who only consider the "glamorous" side of mission trips –– traveling around the world, meeting new people, sharing the Gospel, having exciting adventures, etc., perhaps you might like to know the other side, the reality that many hardships must be endured.

As you already know, I go on many mission trips throughout the world, usually taking several people with me. Listed below are just a few of the many hardships I have faced:

  • Extra hours and work which has to be done at the ministry before and after going
  • Preparing messages, praying, speaking (often through an interpreter), and ministering counseling, and answering questions after messages
  • I usually fast for a week before I go to prepare physically and spiritually, and I usually fast for a week when I return to detoxify from all the fumes and food, etc.
  • Sleep deprivation (uncomfortable beds, mosquitoes, bed bugs, insomnia from time changes hectic ministry schedule, traveling all night, up in the middle of the night to catch trains and planes, etc.)
  • Flights and travel: during one around the world outreach I had 13 different flights, 45 hours in air, 40 hours waiting in airports, 40 hours in taxis, Jeeps and buses, and over 20 hours in trains
  • Sore neck, back, and knees from traveling over rough terrain
  • During an India and Israel outreach I spoke 17 times (all different messages) in 19 days, and 5 of the 19 nights were spent sleeping in airports and airplanes or in a Jeep and van while being driven
  • During another India outreach I spoke seven times in one day
  • Challenges while giving messages (power and microphones sometimes out, use of interpreter often, loudspeakers blaring Muslim call to prayer in middle of messages in Trinidad and Egypt)
  • Burning eyes, sore throat and lungs, and frequent loss of voice from exhaust fumes, dust, and numerous speaking engagements
  • Continual "cotton" taste in mouth from dust
  • Mosquitoes and bugs constantly assaulting me
  • Sun and heat (either have to endure the sun and heat, or get into the shade and face the mosquitoes)
  • Dirty, smelly and bug-infested bathrooms and sleeping quarters
  • All the effects of radiation, dehydration, and cramped seating from the 500-plus flights I've been on
  • Lack of pure water (have to use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, etc.)
  • Dietary challenges (have to graciously receive what hosts set before us)
  • Worms and bugs in food (at least they don't use pesticides!)
  • Cold showers or no showers
  • Severe weather conditions (from freezing in the Himalayas to being soaked with sweat while speaking in Trinidad in hot humid August weather)
  • No lights – electricity out many times (sometimes have to prepare messages and speak by flashlight)
  • Missing family because they were often unable to come along
  • Overwhelming loneliness at night
  • Spiritual warfare while ministering in strongholds of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, animism, voodoo, witchcraft, etc.
  • Potential dangers: landslides; washed out roads; crashes while in taxis, Jeeps, buses, trucks, trains, and planes; threats of hijacking, etc; crossing streets in chaotic traffic; unfamiliar wildlife, snakes, insects; sickness from water, food, or stress; contagious diseases; injuries from falling on treacherous terrain; agitated villagers; going into forbidden countries or restricted areas; and getting books and tapes through customs and checkpoints, etc.
  • Pressure of the spiritual and financial needs of those being ministered to
  • Concern for safety of people traveling with me and for family back home

Giving Up Everything for the Lord

On my second outreach to India (1990) my wife went with me. We left both of our children at home with my wife's mother. There was a period of five days during which there was no possible way for us to call them or for them to contact us. We had no idea how they were. Our daughter was sick the day we left, but the Lord spoke to my heart,"I'll take care of her; trust Me."

I had to leave my family many more times: Germany, Haiti, Nigeria, India, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Trinidad ... but the Lord sustains us in the midst of it all. When I went to India the first time (1989) I said, "God, I'm giving up my wife and daughter." I had no idea what would happen to them while I was gone. I was also risking my life and my son's life because of the various dangers in India and the Himalayas. But I said, "Lord, here I am, use me."

Lord Multiplies It Back

When I go on these missionary outreaches, I give up my time to go, but the Lord somehow multiplies it back. I give away my clothes, but the Lord somehow gives me many more. I give up my finances, but the Lord somehow always multiplies it back. I give up my family, but the Lord makes us even closer. I risk my health, but the Lord somehow restores my health and keeps me healthy. I risk my life, but the Lord somehow protects me. You can't out give God.

Nothing Satisfies but the Lord

In India I was surrounded almost predominantly by Hinduism. In Thailand it was almost totally Buddhism. In Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey it was virtually all Islam. In Haiti I was surrounded by voodoo. In Hong Kong and Europe I was surrounded by materialism; opulence and money are god. In the West Indies the pursuit of pleasure is god and everyone just wants to have a good time, which either eludes most of the people or lasts but a short time.

Before giving my life to Christ I tried almost everything this world has to offer. I confirm and have to honestly say after traveling the world and seeing people involved in every imaginable form of religious experience and pleasure, that nothing truly fulfills or satisfies except knowing Jesus Christ.

Social Gospel Not Enough

My challenge to you is this: Realize that we are "that generation" which will see the return of Christ. Time is very short!

The Bible doesn't say that once we get the social gospel to all the world, once we wipe out all pornography, once we alleviate all starvation, once we end all abortions — as great as these causes are. No! Scripture says: "And this Gospel" — the Gospel of Jesus Christ — "will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14 ).

We give away food, clothing, and money on many of our mission outreaches ... I believe in that. However, my most important priority is getting the Gospel to spiritually hungry people throughout the world — because we are talking about eternity, and we are talking about time being very short. You and I must catch a missionary vision!

Have a Missionary Vision

  • The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to empower us to be bold and effective witnesses for Christ
  • The last words Jesus spoke before ascending was for us to be witnesses for Him to all the world (Acts 1:8)
  • One of the most crucial commands relating to Christ's soon return is for us to share the Gospel with all the world (Matthew 24:14)
  • The church that is truly filled with the Spirit and truly being used by the Lord is the church which is actively involved in missions. The church actively involved in missions will be blessed by the Lord.

Catch the Vision!

God wants you to catch the vision and say, "Lord, here I am, send me, use me on my knees to intercede, use me financially, but use me to impact lives for You! Lord, I accept your challenge. Use me as a missionary in this area. I will go on mini-missions. I will go on a short-term missionary tour. I will go into full-time missionary work. I will pray faithfully for missions. I will give generously as a faith promise because I want to help reach the world for Christ before Your soon return!"