For retirees or those who have come to the end of their project abroad, getting to grips with a new season ‘back home’ can be surprisingly tough. That is especially so if the return was unplanned or overly sudden. Many have had to face sudden repatriation during the current pandemic, for instance, but there can be many other reasons – a health crisis or trauma or even (sadly) some kind of catastrophic failure that has necessitated the return.

Whatever the reason, the important message you need to take on board is that ‘this is not the end of the story’ – God still has plans for your life and maybe (probably!) a whole new purpose is about to unfold for you. But to get there, you need to navigate re-entry healthily first and then look with the eyes of faith to what comes next. Our great burden at FPI is to see returnees processing their return well and then potentially becoming mentors for new field workers coming through. We are here to help facilitate that process.

Again, be sensitive to the one who is now back for good. After processing re-entry stress (or reverse culture shock, if you will), they need to be supported through the process of settling back in. Have the issues of accommodation, pension or new job, role in the church now been addressed?

At FieldPartner, we have a passion to see the wealth of experience and hard-learned lessons embodied in this person harnessed for the Kingdom. Who better to mentor new candidates for the field in the pre-field stage than the seasoned warriors you have received back into your midst? Let them continue to have a part to play and have respect in the community for the expertise and experience that they bring!

For retirees or those who have come to the end of their project abroad, getting to grips with a new season ‘back home’ can be surprisingly tough. That is especially so if the return was unplanned or overly sudden. Many have had to face sudden repatriation during the current pandemic, for instance, but there can be many other reasons – a health crisis or trauma or even (sadly) some kind of catastrophic failure that has necessitated the return.

Whatever the reason, the important message you need to take on board is that ‘this is not the end of the story’ – God still has plans for your life and maybe (probably!) a whole new purpose is about to unfold for you. But to get there, you need to navigate re-entry healthily first and then look with the eyes of faith to what comes next. Our great burden at FPI is to see returnees processing their return well and then potentially becoming mentors for new field workers coming through. We are here to help facilitate that process.

Again, be sensitive to the one who is now back for good. After processing re-entry stress (or reverse culture shock, if you will), they need to be supported through the process of settling back in. Have the issues of accommodation, pension or new job, role in the church now been addressed?

At FieldPartner, we have a passion to see the wealth of experience and hard-learned lessons embodied in this person harnessed for the Kingdom. Who better to mentor new candidates for the field in the pre-field stage than the seasoned warriors you have received back into your midst? Let them continue to have a part to play and have respect in the community for the expertise and experience that they bring!