“Why didn’t you come share at our small group?” a man at my sending church asked.
I was returning to the field in just a couple days. Embarrassed, I explained that I didn’t know about his small group, but that I certainly would visit next time.
A lot had changed in the church since I left two prior. People had come and gone. I felt disconnected and didn’t know who to talk to or how to schedule times to share with community groups, small groups, and Sunday school classes.
Two years later, during my next visit to my sending church, they were ready to help. A member of the missions board coordinated with all the small group leaders a few weeks before my arrival. By the time I landed, my meetings with different small groups and Sunday schools were scheduled. What a huge relief not to have to coordinate these engagements myself!
Offer to help your worker get connected to the right people. You can help coordinate speaking engagements with various groups or even other churches. Your service in this was could end up being the biggest blessing of their trip home.