Last month, I came across a statement by a missionary in Central Asia that gripped me. He wrote: “Most missionaries are actually surprised by how few questions they get asked when they return to their home countries. Or, after years of living overseas, full of misadventures and crises, the only question that comes is, ‘So, how was your trip?’”

The author then suggested asking some questions that most any missionary would be delighted to answer—and offered a list. I forwarded his list to Patti Parks in Ireland and within a day she had answered them all! I suppose the author was right. I asked Patti’s permission to share her answers with a larger audience and she graciously agreed. 

As you interact with her answers, please take a moment to lift Patti in prayer. The Pandemic certainly hit Ireland and other European countries hard and they are just now beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Also, following her answers is a link to connect to her mission in Ireland. Enjoy!    

Q. What were some of the mighty things you saw God do in your time overseas? 

A. That’s one of the misconceptions of mission work that many missionaries’ have to face. We know that God is mighty and does mighty things, but what has impressed and struck me the most has been watching God work more patiently. He is very patient. Ireland is slow to hear the gospel and the work here isn't easy. The "mighty" things I have seen have been (1)The way the Lord brought me here, and (2) The way the Lord kept me here. 

Q. What were some of the harder things that you faced? 

A. My Disillusionment with how I thought God would work. Going through personal pruning of God stripping off of fruitful branches in order to bear more fruit wasn’t fun. Going to the mission field at the age 40 and giving up the support of my friend group, my church family and all of the support systems I was accustomed to was hard. It was a real sacrifice.  

Q. How have your kids been doing growing up as third-culture kids? 

A. I am equally thankful I don’t have that burden and sad I don’t have that joy. God has given me a real heart for Missionary kids or Third culture kids and a compassion for them. Each child responds different to the pressures of missionary life and each family approaches parenting differently.  Again, for those with children it’s both a great joy and burden to navigate it well. Just to be clear the child is not the burden, the situation around them is. 

Q. How have you changed since you went overseas? 

A. In so many ways. I am not the same person I was when I left and I'm still changing. The biggest change for me personally is the feeling of freedom from any form of nationalism. I'm less concerned about earthly governments and more concerned with God's kingdom. Every person is called to submit to their government and to honor and pray for those in leadership. We are called to do this because we are guests/exiles, Christians are simply passing through this world and trying to build God’s kingdom. 

Q. Tell me about the things you love about your focus people and culture. 

A. I love the Irish people so much. I love their warm, charming, humble, unpretentious approach to life. I love their natural bent towards hospitality and consideration of others. I love that they are satisfied with simplicity. 

Q. How have you grown in your understanding of the gospel as you have served cross-culturally? 

A. In so many ways... I love that the Gospel is the message we are to share! It really is good news. It’s the only message that reaches over boarders and cultures and yet is the same message for all. I love that the Gospel is an invitation to salvation through Jesus Christ. 

Q. How did God call you to go overseas in the first place? 

A. Just liked thousands of other missionaries my age on the field today, I was challenged to think differently about missions twenty years ago. I was in a room with about 15 college age students, listening to John Piper’s message about Sea Shells.  My best friend always had a heart for missions and would ask me all the time if I wanted to take the name of Jesus where He hasn’t been named, and I would always say “No.” I knew there were plenty of people in American who hadn’t known Jesus. But Piper’s message changed me forever. 

Q. What are things you wish you could say to believers in your home country? 

A. Try to read the Bible with the original context in mind. Try not to see America as the answer to the world or the only catalyst for the Gospel. God is the answer to the world, and any believer is a catalyst for the Gospel. Stay humble and learn about other cultures. Try to see and understand what other cultures value. What I am trying to say is we need to make much of Jesus, not America. We can love and value our culture, but we must be careful not to make it an idol. Go to a local ethnic restaurant or visit a church that is preaching in another language. Feel that discomfort and ask God to give you a heart for the Nations, so that He would be glorified.

Q. Do you have any funny stories that happened while on the mission field? Epic language mistakes? 

A. The first dinner I had in Ireland someone offered me Cider, I thought it was apple cider, it turned out to be hard cider (alcoholic) and I was too embarrassed to admit my misunderstanding. 

Q. What are the things your family most desperately needs prayer for? 

A. I am single, but the need I feel most deeply is that I would not grow weary in doing good, that I would keep my eyes on Christ, and make it my aim to make Him my boast. 

If you would like to follow Patti’s mission in Ireland, or financially partner with her in making Christ known to the Irish, click here. Soli Deo Gloria