Called to leave Japan?

Many Japan Harvest readers will have known God’s call to serve him in Japan. That call may have come through various means such as Bible verses, prayer, or a natural interest in Japan. God’s call is a wonderful work of grace, and we love to hear testimonies about it. What we don’t talk about much, however, is God’s call to leave missionary service. Maybe that’s because we know Japan’s vast need for the gospel only too well. Or perhaps we are over-conscientious, or feel guilty or ashamed about walking away.

But we should talk about it because the decision to leave missionary service is tough—probably tougher than deciding to come to Japan. My research backs up what other writers say about why missionaries leave missionary service: “People rarely [leave] for only one reason; they might have five or six reasons”.¹ That makes leaving Japan more complex than coming—and missionaries need support and care as they wrestle with this decision.

Is God calling you to leave Japan?

Are any of the following statements true for you?

• You sense a general unease or malaise in yourself with your role or your organisation.
• Your family’s needs—children or parents or both—are increasingly pressing.
• Personal or family physical or mental health issues keep recurring and remain unresolved.
• Conflict and a growing lack of trust in relationships are a concern.
• Finances are an increasing problem.

If these statements ring bells for you, how can you move forward? It may be helpful to ask yourself these questions about the issues you are facing:

1. Can they be understood or explained another way?
2. Can I find ways around or through them?
3. Can they be managed well in, or from, Japan?

Here are two possible situations and questions you might ask about them:

Mental health issues: if you’re struggling with this, have you explored possible causes with a counsellor (remotely or locally) or have you approached a doctor about medication? Is there a way around or through this struggle that could be tried in Japan?

Conflict with teammates (Japanese or missionary): if this is something you are experiencing, have you examined your heart and repented of your own sinful part in the situation? Have you asked for forgiveness or tried mediation? Is there a way through this situation that you haven’t yet explored?

In order to answer the three questions above, you’re probably going to need some help.

First, pray and seek God’s will and direction in the situation you are facing.

Second, it is vital to find someone outside your organisation or situation who can listen, pray, and advise where appropriate. This person must be chosen carefully. Don’t try to do this alone; you need accountability and spiritual support.

Third, if you belong to an organisation, discuss the situation with your leaders as early as possible. Give them the chance to understand, be involved, explain, and improve the situation where possible. This will benefit you, the organisation, and perhaps others who may have similar experiences.

How can you leave well?

Personally

The RAFT process of leaving is extremely helpful here: R=Reconciliation, A=Affirmation, F=Farewell, T=Think Ahead/Destination.² If you need to put things right with people, do it. It is hard, but the spiritual danger of not doing so isn’t worth it. Take time to thank people who’ve meant a lot to you—it will bring you, as well as them, joy. Say goodbye to individuals, families, churches, and places. This may take money and time and may bring sadness, but it is essential for good closure. Finally, plan and prepare for what is ahead—homes, schools, employment, etc. And if you have kids, make sure to include them in this process.

Organisationally

It is crucial to debrief or have a review with your organisation. This provides an opportunity for you to reflect on your service—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and allows your leaders to respond. It may not be comfortable, but it brings closure.

Finally, “There is a massive gulf of difference between giving up and running away, and in moving on to a new walk of faith.”³ My prayer is that this article helps you evaluate your missionary service, whether to stay in Japan and how to thrive in that decision, or whether to leave well, without guilt or shame, to fulfil God’s calling elsewhere in His world.

A short list of helpful resources is available from the managing editor: wmarshall@jema.org.

1. Thomas Hale and Gene Daniels, On Being A Missionary (Revised Edition) (Pasadena: William Carey Library, 2012), 408.
2. RAFT idea from Matt Neigh, “Closure – Building a “RAFT”. Interaction International Inc., 1998, https://www.mtwcare.org/uploads/8/9/8/6/89863841/healthyclosure.pdf (accessed Oct. 22, 2020).
3. Janet Dallman, Out On A Limb: A Devotional Guide for Missionaries (Maitland: Xulon Press, 2016), 45.