Home leave

Before they arrive

Assign a mentor – somebody who is there for the cross cultural worker to call upon.

Identifying – try putting yourself in their shoes. Answer these questions and then you can prepare for the cross cultural worker's return.

Have you lost a job recently?
Have you recently made a major move?
Have circumstances forced you to be away from family for an extended period.
What would you need if you were coming back from overseas, to a place that wasn't really home anymore?
What would be most helpful for you if you were returning to Australia with children?

Awareness – promote awareness that the cross cultural worker will be returning soon by inserting photos (up to date ones) and a biographical information in the church bulletin a few months in advance.

Also use notice boards and maps in high traffic areas to make people aware of the cross cultural worker's intended return.
Anticipation – Write in advance to the cross cultural worker to ask specific questions about what they may need when they return.

Housing
Car
Schooling needs

Contact the parents of the cross cultural workers and see if they have any information or needs they know about. How can you help each other to welcome back the cross cultural worker?

Re-entry

Give them time – re-entry is a personal thing. They may be burned out, in poor health, resigning or changing ministries. Each situation will require unique needs and time may be needed for the cross cultural worker to adjust to all that's been happening and their new surroundings in Australia.

Solitude –before the onslaught of crowds of people or speaking engagements the cross cultural worker may need sometime to be on their own. Does anyone in the church have a holiday house they are willing to share?

Something is Different – Spending an extended time in another culture will result in your cross cultural worker being a changed person. Their way of thinking will be more aligned with their host culture.

People at home have also changed so all need to be aware and make allowances for these changes.

De-brief

It is essential that your cross cultural worker have someone to de-brief with. The WEC leadership will organise this with you and your cross cultural worker shortly following their arrival in Australia.

MK’s, or TCK's (Third Culture Kids) this is not home!

Where are we? - A trip back to Australia for the kids, is not a coming home trip, this is not home, they are only visiting.

They may be shy and not use to seeing so many white people in one place.
Don't expect them to feel comfortable with all Australian foods or understand Australian humour.
They, maybe more than the parents will need time and space to adjust.
Going to an Australian church on Sunday may be new for them, going to Church overseas is more than likely not the same as it is here.

School - If your CP family have been living in the northern hemisphere then working out what is the best alternative for school in Australia may be difficult. The school year in the northern hemisphere begins in September thus there is always a need for the kids when they come back to Australia to either repeat or jump up a grade. It is good to be aware of this and to assist in anyway possible. It is for this reason that many families can only come back to Australia during the months June, July and August. The summer holiday period in the north.

Maybe teachers within your church can help the family.

Can a local Christian school be flexible in accommodating the children if need be?

Involvement in Church

Not a preacher – not every cross cultural worker is a gifted preacher. Offer alternative avenues for them to share their stories if they are not comfortable to share in a large open meeting.

Experiences and Passion – cross cultural workers are people with experience, passion and expertise that can enrich the church. Look for ways for them to expand your churches mission impact.

Take a genuine interest in their ministry

Find out what it was like for them. How did they cope with the strangeness of the culture? What went well, & gave encouragement? What didn’t go well, & discouraged them?

What are their dreams? Their fears? What’s next for them? What does furlough hold for them?

Inclusion – many cross cultural workers can come “home” and be lonely people. Yes they may be different but they need to be included and welcomed back into circle. Don't wait for them to make the first move.

Welcome them into your life. Take a step back, widen your circle of friends, & invite them in. It doesn’t matter what your age is, invite them around for a BBQ. Invite them to Home Group to talk all night. 10 mins isn’t enough!

Give them 100% support. Make sure they are doing OK financially. Start praying for them while they are here, so when they go back…

Ask them to put you on their email list
Care for them in practical ways. Remember the kids’ birthdays--& mum & dad’s! If you have a spare car, ask if they need one for their furlough. If you have a holiday house, offer it to them. Ask if they have a mobile phone, & provide one if needed.

Deputation

Apart from spending quality time with your church the cross cultural worker may need to spend time on the road visiting other supporting churches and friends. They may also need to see an increase in their support so will need time and opportunities to do this. Do they need equipment to do this?

Equipping

Life Cycles – at what stage of life is your cross cultural worker going through, try to anticipate their needs. Invite them or send them to appropriate classes or seminars such as:

Parenting Preschoolers
Aging Parents
Preparing for Retirement
Stress Management

Further Studies – opportunities for further study may have been non-existent or very lacking encourage your cross cultural worker to do courses that will enhance their ministry and life once they return to the field.

Specialist Input

Most mission agencies will require that the cross cultural worker have a comprehensive medical check-up. This is essential to make sure that they have not picked up something while they have been away. Also good to update any immunisations they may require.
The cross cultural worker may also have the need to talk to a professional counselor, see other specialists to answer and talk through issues that may be bothering them.

Returning to The Field

It is important that the church organises a re-commissioning service, a farewell meal or a combination of both. This confirms to the worker and the church that they are in partnership with each other in planting churches in unreached people groups.

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