As a child I envisioned all missionaries as people trudging through jungles and preaching everyday to people who have never heard the message of Christ. That was it. Nothing more. Just trudging and preaching, and preaching and more trudging. After thirty-five years in a cross-cultural setting my perspective is more realistic. I realize most missionaries' lives are not that much different than lives of ministers, educators, nurses, doctors, builders etc... in the USA. Granted, the surroundings are generally not nearly as sophisticated as "back home" and efficiency is a rare luxury (at least where we live).
That aside, life is similar. Like the preachers in the USA, I have people to visit as they lie sick in a hospital bed. Things break at the church building and finding the resources to make the repairs often falls on my shoulders. Supplies for our office here at the house need to be bought. That entails a trip to the next town over. Weekly Bible lessons and sermons must be prepared and clamor for attention. Discouraged and "wounded" Christians who need a word of faith, hope and someone to care need a pastoral visit. Planning for the future and giving direction to the church requires meeting with the church leaders and various committees. Smoothing ruffled feathers pops up from time to time; something I was not trained for. Of course we want to "spend time" with our friends and interested individuals and churches by means of emails and newsletters.
On a personal note, whether one lives in IL, AR (Razorbacks) or TN (Go Vols) or Puerto Rico, grass has to be cut and the house cleaned. The car must go to the mechanic. If we want to eat we had better go to the grocery store. A little Saturday afternoon college football makes for a great break in a busy week. Arkansas on one end of the sofa and Tennessee on the other (!) BUT FIRST: A quick visit (3 hours) to the emergency room!--Johnathan had 8 stitches sewn in his head yesterday (as a result of having to fix the church tractor!).
And so goes the week for your missionaries in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
Hasta luego,
Johnathan and Mary
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