Being a missionary in Portugal! What exactly does that mean? When we first told people that we were going to Portugal for a year on a missions trip, some of them were skeptical. We got comments like, "Why would they need missionaries in Portugal?" or "Living in Portugal for a year, quite a sacrifice." Well, perhaps many would not consider us "real" missionaries but I can tell you that many of the people we have met here are.
Not every missionary lives in a dangerous place and suffers religious persecution or primative living conditions. Most of the missionaries that we work with here are with an organizaion called The Association of Baptist for World Evangelism (ABWE). They are what is called "church planters," and have felt called to dedicate their lives to that end. Some have lived here for years, raised their families and are winding down their tenure. Others are young families just beginning, raising their children far from grandparents and other extended family. A few are people who have retired from other careers and have felt the call to serve in this new capacity.
Once someone feels the Lord has called them to the mission field, they must raise support for their living expeneses. This means appealing to churches and individuals to get long-term commitments. Sometimes it takes years to gather the necessary support. The first eighteen months after arriving in the country they are required to attend language school full time. They must learn the Portugese language and culture if they are to be effective missionaries.
After language school is complete, they, the missionary, will be assigned to a team of church planters. The specific talents and gifts they bring to the team will be utilized to its fullest. Some are gifted teachers or musicians or they have the gift of hospitality, while others work in the field of finance, organization, counseling, or pastoring.
The goal of the church planting team is to start a church that can gradually be taken over and run by the Portugese people. Once the church is a vital, functioning body, the team will move to another area and help start another church. All of this takes immense amounts of patience. Sometimes churches grow quickly but most often it is a painsteacking process that takes years.
The life of a missionary requires much self-discipline. They more or less make their own schedule and work as hard as they require of themselves. The ones we have met are very dedicated. They become involved in the community where they live so they can have contact with and develop relationships with Portugese people. They must adapt to the culture and live as much like the Portugese as possible. This is not easy in this culture which is very traditional with close family ties. For example, it is very unusual for non-family members to be invited into a Portuguese home.
Many of the missionaries raise their children here. That is where we serve, as teachers in a school for MKs. We are giving these children an American education because most of them will return to the US to attend college.
Every three or four years each missionary family is required to return to the states on furlough. This is not just a time of R&R, it is also a time to renew contact with supporters in the US.
No, Portugal is not a primitive country but it does require major adjustments if one is to make it a permanent home. Since they have left their extended families back in the US, the missionaries become family to each other. This makes for a tight-knit group. They are extremely supportive of each other and we have greatly enjoyed being included in that support system.
We are not considered by some as "real" missionaries but our donation of a year of service to them and their children is deeply appreciated. We are what is known as "short-termers".
If you ever get an opportunity to go on a missions trip, whether for a few weeks, a year or longer, we would recommend you go. The experience will give you a new perspective on outreach and will change you in many ways. It certainly has been wonderful for us in many many ways
