Debriefing Testimonies
Permission has been given by several Debriefees to post their comments as a testimony to the Debriefing process.
Please click on the links below for each testimony.
Debriefee 3
"Our time of Debriefing was very beneficial and helped us to go back to the mission field, after we had to go back home due to stress related health issues and exhaustion. When you have to leave the mission field because of exhaustion, often people who haven't been to the mission field themselves judge you or want to give all kinds of input on what you might have done wrong, so it was refreshing to be understood by people who really took time to listen and could relate to the situation.
"It was very helpful to us that the Debriefing Centre was not connected with our mission but independent and by talking about our problems we didn't hurt anybody's feelings, but could freely share from our hearts. Often when you get counselling you just talk, but nothing changes, but based on the process we worked through whilst debriefing we were able to think of concrete solutions to our problems which we were able to implement after discussing them with our leadership. We are back on the field now.
"From now on, we would like to have a debriefing before every furlough, so we can 'unload' our burdens and stresses and can start processing everything before meeting the mission leadership, friends, family and supporters. This would allow a furlough that is much more relaxed and provides a good start into the new term as well as new relationships with co-workers. It would be good for every missionary to have a debrief so they don't end up getting to a point where they are totally exhausted and are forced to leave the field. Instead, it would be good to be able to have somebody to turn to before you get to that point so you can stay on the field long term.
"Many smaller mission organizations can't afford having personnel for member care or don't even see the need for it, that's why an organization that is open for missionaries from different organizations would be very helpful. New Zealand would be a wonderful location for a member care centre for people from New Zealand and Australia and anybody who works in Southeast Asia, as it is not too far away but already a western country with all the comforts and possibilities.
"Thank you again for your wonderful service and for making us feel not like "burnt out wrecks' but like 'honourably wounded soldiers'."
