HOME ASSIGNMENT—MORE THAN COMING HOME (A MISSION MONTH REFLECTION)

When a missionary returns to their sending country after 3 or 4 years of service, we often call this season “home assignment.” But what does that mean?

To some, it might sound like a long holiday or break. But “home assignment” is not a time of stepping away from ministry—it is ministry, just in a different location. Missionaries use this time to reconnect with their sending churches and supporters, update partners, attend training, rest, and prepare for their next term of service. It’s part of their calling, not a pause from it.

In fact, a home assignment is often busier than field work, filled with travel, speaking engagements, fundraising, and spiritual recalibration.

But there’s something else I’ve come to realise - we all have “home assignments” of our own, no matter where we serve. For me, my personal home assignment happens every Monday—my weekly off day. And it takes place not in a church or on a mission field, but in my mother’s home, around the dinner table.

For the past five years, I’ve cooked and eat dinner with my elderly mother every Monday. After dinner, we have a little tradition: I read her a Bible verse from a set of specially prepared verse cards. I enlarged the font so she can read them clearly, and I pick verses that might speak to her season of life.

But recently, I forgot to prepare new cards. I told her, “No verse today.” But she said, “Just pick one we’ve read before. I’ll read it again.” I was a bit reluctant. We repeated this again and again, but every dinner my mum never stops complaining about her health, sometimes even her bitterness with people. To be honest, I was quite disappointed and discouraged. She never seemed to be satisfied with what God has provided.

But that night, something shifted. I pulled out 1 Timothy 6:17, a verse we had read years ago:

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

She asked, “What is ‘无定的钱财’?” I answered, “It means money is uncertain—don’t rely on it.” She nodded, then added, “Yes, health is the most important. Without health, how can we enjoy God’s goodness?”

I paused. “No, mum. It’s not our health we rely on—it’s God. If we rely on good health, we’ll be miserable our whole lives because when we grow older, our health will not get better. But when we rely on God, in sickness or in health, He gives us joy and peace that nothing else can.”

She fell silent. I saw something in her face. A seed, perhaps, planted again.

That, to me, is my home assignment. I was reminded that this is not just a duty, but a sacred calling to sow Gospel seeds patiently, one meal, one verse, one Monday at a time. I prayed that the Holy Spirit would continue to work in her heart and mine, that we would always be encouraged, knowing that God is with us and provides for us in every weekly home assignment.

Mission work isn’t always overseas. Sometimes, it’s across the table. So whether you’re a full-time missionary, a local church worker, or a family member faithfully sharing and living out God’s word at home, your work is seen. God is with you.

May we all be faithful in our home assignments—wherever they are.

Being His missional disciple,

Pastor Forest