• FEATURE: Fresh Lemonade parties generate new vitality for missionary care at Bible Fellowship Church (see below)
• TOOL PACKAGE Two ways to stimulate more service to missionaries on home assignment.
• GREAT IDEAS Don't miss this advice on how to welcome your missionaries back from the field.

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REFRESHING MISSIONARY CARE

Thanks to Fresh Lemonade, over 200 people at Bible Fellowship Church (BFC) in Ventura, CA, are now personally involved in providing care for missionaries. In this church of 1,500, Fresh Lemonade has piqued the interest of a new generation in serving missionaries.

It all started with a casual phone call between missionary Dawn Taylor and Lori Hahn, director of the church’s women's ministries. Dawn and her family had just returned a bit battle bruised from a challenging term of ministry in Ireland. Lori had never been personally involved in missions.

But in one brief conversation, Lori (right in photo) recognized in Dawn a kindred spirit. A very special friendship was born that gave Lori a window into the needs of missionary families and a passion to help others form mutually beneficial bonds like she and Dawn were developing. Lori determined to use her creativity and love of parties to meaningfully introduce her congregation to their missionaries.

Parties Establish Bonds
The result was Fresh Lemonade, a program designed to refresh missionaries by connecting them to BFC members in festive, party settings. All returning workers are introduced in the worship services. Soon thereafter, each missionary family is welcomed at a Fresh Lemonade party. Held in the home of a BFC member, these events are typically attended by 20-50 people whose interest has been piqued by the Sunday presentation, a report in a small group, or by the host and hostess. Decorations, games and great food set the stage for the missionary's 20-minute sharing time. The host/hostess then discusses ways the group could help these returning field workers. The entire program runs no more than an hour and a half.

Dawn describes the experience from the missionary viewpoint: "It really is a joy to have time with people who love us and stand with us in ministry as well as those desiring to know more about who we are and what we do…and why we do what we do! I come away from those times very encouraged. Now when we return to Ventura, there are people who will welcome us and understand the transition a little better than they did before. And I need that!"

Communication Is Key
Lori has discovered that it is important to coach the missionaries for their worship service mini-reports and Fresh Lemonade presentations. She emphasizes two things: "Share your heart and present the big picture." She knows that the people in her congregation will embrace their missionaries if they are willing to be vulnerable and can communicate the strategic nature of their task, regardless of whether it is frontlines evangelism or a behind-the-scenes support role.

Once the relationship has been established, Fresh Lemonade groups continue to look for creative ways to minister to "their" missionaries and find the funds to do so. Groups have held bake sales to raise funds for projects. One group collected money to purchase a massage table for a missionary who deals with chronic pain. When a missionary needed an office, his group threw an office-warming party back home that provided equipment and funds for the purchase of other furnishings on location.

Creative Care Continues
Fresh Lemonade groups love to find ways to pamper their missionary women. A member of the Fresh Lemonade team may take the missionary wife shopping, using funds contributed by the group to purchase new clothes. Returning missionaries are given a list of professional services available in the church or community. Where appropriate, church members approach the service provider to see if help is available free or at a reduced rate. Missionary men may be invited to join members of their Fresh Lemonade group for a round of golf or to attend a pro sports game.

"I think Fresh Lemonade’s appealing look and 'feel' are one key to its success," Lori explains. "Invitations use attractive, professional graphics, and the Fresh Lemonade theme just fits our church culture. Also, Fresh Lemonade activities introduce people to missionaries in a party setting. For the majority of our congregation who have little or no previous exposure to missionaries, this creates a comfortable atmosphere that doesn't sound either intimidating or boring. Once they are exposed to a missionary's heart, they are 'hooked' and ready to make a deeper commitment."

These commitments are initially expressed by beginning to pray for a missionary. This has led to increased personal financial giving and trips overseas to help missionaries on site.

For more information about Fresh Lemonade, contact Lori Hahn at lahahn@sbcglobal.net.

MISSIONARY SERVICES INVENTORY & WELCOME BASKET IDEAS

This month's tool package features two practical ways to expand your care and assistance for missionaries when they come on home assignment. An inventory sheet allows your members to volunteer their skills and time to supply missionaries with a wide variety of services. The missionary welcome basket idea offers a way to provide missionaries with fun activities and resources that also connect them to your church family. Download both at www.dualreach.org/missions/bm~doc/mc-t8-2.doc.

WELCOMING RETURNING MISSIONARIES

Great Ideas offers a collection of practical suggestions you can implement to make the transition to home assignment easier and more profitable for your missionaries. These 20 suggestions are available free at www.dualreach.org/missions/bm~doc/GI-9.pdf.