Challenges That May Become Problems
Some challenges become serious problems. Wanting to please God, some of the most committed missionaries burn out and wind up returning to their passport country never to return to the host country again. The chapter about burnout may help prevent that. Anxiety and depression are so common and may become so serious that I have devoted two chapters to each of them, giving many ways that may help decrease each.
Praying daily for the persecuted church in many parts of the world makes us more aware that the world is very hostile to Christians. Acts of terror get much publicity when they are dramatic, but missionaries may face other traumatic situations, feeling very much alone in a different culture. The chapter about trauma may help missionaries debrief one another in order to prevent the long-lasting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.