Fulfilling the Great Commission calls followers of Jesus to communities that are difficult to enter. Once the target area is identified, a team may need to work for several years to gain long-term access. Permissions need to be granted at several levels, and friendships established every step of the way from entering the country to arriving in the community. Simply traveling to the community can be a large undertaking. The team needs to plan ahead for the food and shelter necessary to travel to the community and stay there.
Before entering the community, the team will consider what is required to live in that country. This will include an adequate long-term visa plan. It may involve learning a national language. Since many of these communities may be found inside difficult political terrain, increased fluency in the national language and culture will be key in navigating the way forward.
While working on the national language and culture, the team will work to create a path onward to the target area. Perhaps they will make several trips over the course of a year or two. These trips may involve more airplane rides, boat rides, night lodging, etc. The team will also work to cultivate friendships and commercial relationships along the route to the community. These relationships will become a vital network for supplying basic needs required for living in the community.
In many places, outsiders need permission from community leaders to enter. Additional permission may be required to enter regions along the way. In both the target area and the communities enroute, addressing perceived needs of communities may be key to gaining that permission. Perhaps physical needs can be addressed in a way that shows the love of Christ and keeps doors open, leading to opportunities to help them identify deeper needs later on.
And don’t forget the universal ingredients of any Kingdom work. A practical love and humility in relationships can make all the difference in gaining people’s confidence. Simply consistently showing interest in another´s well-being can open a closed door. In John 6, Jesus provided physical bread in order to lead people to eternal bread. We have an example to follow both in this illustration and throughout the Gospels. Putting Christ's love in action is key to building relationships, which is key to entering a community.
— DW writes from South America, where his family supports other All-Nations teams entering indigenous communities
