These past weeks have seen a number of tentmakers returning to their overseas jobs and mission. They’ve been waiting for months for the permission to return and also to receive permission from their home country officials to leave.

One family who returned to South Asia reported how complicated the travel process was with multiple tests, screenings, interviews, medical checkups, evaluations at multiple airports along the way and of course the joy of returning to the place they had to suddenly flee from.

Of course this is good news but much caution must be exercised as the dangers of this pandemic are real and can be life altering.

The good news is that tentmakers are in the process of returning or have already returned to a much changed environment. New ways of doing mission need to be figured out. Interactions with people need to be evaluated for risk of transmission. In all this one thing remains clear. God has not stopped loving the unreached nor has he stopped working through his people who have obeyed and gone for the sole purpose of making disciples.

On the other side of this coin are people who never returned home but continued under difficult circumstances in their mission. One tentmaker in the Arab Peninsula has seen growing interest in learning about Jesus and are eagerly studying in small groups. Sometimes these groups are meeting via smart phone video. 

For a time as this, many excellent Bible study apps have been launched which are already producing good fruit. The one most often used according to reports is the Discovery Bible Study App.

It is available in many languages. We are thankful for this vital tool especially during this time of isolation.

Be of good cheer! Tentmakers are returning, those who never returned are seeing many coming to Jesus and those who are just starting their journey to the nations have excellent resources and people in place. Just reach out to them, they are anxious and excited at being able to be a part of your journey.

By Ari Rocklin