by Ann Bowman
My worst mornings begin with an explosion of text messages. My phone wakes me with morning news alerts while friends and family ask, “Are your kids safe?” My only answer is, “I don’t know.” Then I have a choice to make: give in to hysteria or learn the facts and start praying.
As a mother to two daughters, one son-in-law, and five grandchildren living and serving on the other side of the world, I have been shaken to the core many times by the news. Learning to lean into God during these moments of overwhelming fear was a long process. But I came to realize that my prayers were much more useful to my loved ones than my panic. My confident, reassuring words to them were what they needed, not my offers of plane tickets home.
Missionaries live their lives to shine the light of Christ in dark places. During wars and pandemics when these places on the globe get their darkest, there is greater opportunity to share the light of the gospel, and God has our kids there for that very reason.
One daughter and her husband serve medically in a developing country, and their choice to stay through covid spoke louder than any gospel message. Nationals knew they could have returned to a more comfortable and safe America, but they didn’t. That decision got the attention of the people they were trying to reach. The patients more readily listened to their stories of God and the prayers that were offered along with the diagnosis and treatment. With so many falling sick, my son-in-law was allowed to work in the local hospital treating the sickest covid patients, widening his reach to share the love of Christ.
The daughter who serves in the Middle East had befriended several young women from Southeast Asia. She had often shared stories of faith with them, but they had little interest in spiritual things. After the attack on October 7 occurred, the young women sought out my daughter and asked her to pray for them. My daughter was where she needed to be, exhibiting a calm confidence in her God and sharing it with friends she had made.
And although my daughter and her husband working in global medicine had chosen a “safe” democratic country to serve, a coup erupted overnight. It shocked the world. They woke up to no internet and then an announcement that martial law was in place. The violence that occurred when citizens marched against the coup was in the far distant major cities. The main thing that changed where my daughter’s family lived in the rural mountains was an absence of medical providers. Most doctors quit in protest of the government takeover. However, the patients were still there—with great needs.
Once again, my daughter and her husband chose to stay. They were sought out from miles around for their medical care, but these sick ones also heard the gospel. Many mentioned that they had never received such compassionate care from medical providers before—they could see the difference in doctors who were Christ followers. The great darkness and despair that washed over the country allowed them to proclaim the good news even more clearly.
I didn’t come to this confidence in God regarding my loved ones being in war-torn countries easily. My mother’s heart, which always wants to protect her loved ones, wrestled with what I knew in my head about the Great Commission. I had to take every thought captive as I chose not to constantly sit in front of the news.
Instead I meditated on scripture such as:
“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” (Proverbs 30:5 ESV)
“Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” (Isaiah 8:12-13 ESV)
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” (Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV)
I asked God to show me how to pray effectively. I knew which friends were prayer warriors, and I gave them specific requests. One such request was regarding the problem of delivering babies during the night when there was martial law. The penalty for being on the road during curfew was steep.
After one close call, I cried out to God to fix this—not knowing what exactly to pray. Within days a building within their compound was converted into a birthing center. God was protecting my family members in the midst of conflict. During this season three hundred babies were born under their care, the gospel shared, and the little newborns prayed over.
Studies show that one of the greatest deterrents for missionaries on the field is a lack of emotional support and approval from their parents. It is a great discouragement to them. During times of crisis, parental support is needed so much more.
When I am tempted to beg my missionary children to come home, I’ve learned to be a listening ear, a sounding board, or whatever is needed in the moment. My trust in God’s ability to direct my children’s decisions and paths is paramount. He may use the immigration board where they live or the quiet voice in their hearts as they seek God’s direction. Sometimes it means I have to trust the decision of my missionary family members even when it’s not what I want as their mom.
Being the parent of missionaries is not an easy role but instead a refining process. It takes daily surrender and recommitment. But the privilege of being on the front row to witness the advancement of the kingdom of light in dark places is a treasure without comparison.
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Ann Bowman is an author and speaker for women’s events. With two of her four children serving globally, Ann draws from that experience to mentor young women serving in missions through Thrive Ministry. She also earned her certification as a TCK debriefer through TCK Training. Her book, I Never Signed Up for This: One Mother’s Journey to Surrender Her Children to Their Calling, appeared on the Catalyst Services for Best Missions Books of 2025 list. Ann and her husband reside in Texas and spend as much time with their family on video chat as they can.
