Many years ago it was commonplace to take lengthy furloughs due to transportation issues; there were no airplanes or automobiles. Now that someone can get to almost any country of the world in 24 hours or less, it is best for a missionary to take furloughs more often (every year or two) but for less time (about a month or so) while on each furlough.
Things to Do Before a Furlough
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- Make sure that the church is in good hands before a furlough is taken.
- Remember it is important to take a shorter furlough more often.
- Stay in contact with the leadership while you are in the USA.
- Make a list of things you need to do on your furlough.
- Organize the list by priority.
- Check with your family to see what they need, not just ministry items.
- Make sure personal items on the field and rented facilities are in order.
- Consider asking another missionary to keep some personal items for you.
- Decide before your furlough the most effective method of payment, as well as the best person to make the payment, for rental facilities (house and church building) while you are gone.
Things to Do While on a Furlough
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- Renew friendships with family and friends.
- Spend some time with the husband’s family, as well as the wife’s family.
- It would be wise to get gifts from the field for your family members.
- Make this time a stress-free time as much as possible.
- Plan a family vacation if possible.
Things to Buy While on a Furlough
NOTE: Get supplies that a missionary cannot get on the field; always consider how much you may pay in duty in the country when you return. Here are some possible ideas:
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- Kitchen supplies
- Baking supplies
- Certain spices
- Utensils (if they cannot be bought on the field)
- Plan a family vacation if possible.
- Ministry supplies
- Electronic equipment
- Flannel graph
- VBS supplies
- Christian books (if the national language is English)
- Songbooks
- Family supplies