Missionary: Time for Furlough!

Many years ago when we had been on the field for a six year term and were ready for furlough, we put together this list.

How to Know When It’s Time for Furlough
By the John R. Himes family, getting close to it!​

A missionary knows it's time for furlough when:

1. Japanese trucks start looking big to him.
2. He thinks the "Reformed Semi-Democratic People's Union for Greenery" makes more sense than the Republican Party.
3. He stubs his toe and his "Ow!" isn't English.
4. He's talking to someone about his mission and he can't remember the name of the mission director.
5. He gets excited over "Spring Equinox Day," but can't remember how to tell when Easter falls.
6. "Fermented milk" starts sounding like a perfectly ordinary drink, and "fermented bean paste" is a real treat.
7. He thinks "football" is played with a round ball.
8. The other missionaries in his area start moving away for no apparent reason.
9. He starts talking to his stuffed animals--and starts answering back for them.
10. He knows the names of all the Sumo wrestlers but can't remember what baseball team New York has.
11. Raw octopus sounds like more of a treat than pizza.
12. He thinks a samurai drama from when Kyoto was the capital is called a "Western."
13. He bows when talking on the telephone.
14. He thinks "cherry-blossom viewing" sounds macho.
15. Green tea ice cream becomes his favorite, and he's not surprised to find beans in it.

 

Whew! We're about 90% ready for furlough, but can't take one until 2011--making it another six year term.

In the meantime, that Estonian who just made the second highest rank in Sumo is really cool! And they recently had my favorite samurai drama on TV. Love that part where the hero simply sticks out his sword and lets the bad guy run into it. And I wanted some of that ice cream with the whole beans in it, but they didn't have any....:tonofbricks:

 

I might do that. We'll be all over the map, actually, having supporting churches from Michigan to Florida, Virginia to Colorado. :type:

Actually, there are a lot of blessings traveling to the churches: seeing old friends, making new friends, hearing from folks who have been praying faithfully for us. And besides, I'm too old to change horses now! Midstream? Hah, I'm nearing the other side of the river! :smilewinkgrin:

 

Our board allows for 4-6 year terms, but we've always aimed at 5-6 years. We did take a minifurlough once of 3 months, and that is becoming more common, but we don't plan to do it again.

Hah! I've heard me many times and wouldn't cross the street to hear me again! :laugh:

Many moons ago I went to Japanese language school with the SBC guys, and when I told one of them about our relationship with our supporting churches he was a little jealous at the prayer support we get. :saint:

 

Just got off the phone with the Christian book store in Sapporo, and somehow managed not to bow to the phone. Maybe we can last another year!

 

Amen! And the primary job of missionaries on furlough is recruitment, and being in many different churches helps that.