by Karen Busé

Many of us dream of serving in a long-term mission overseas without a clear picture of the actual work it entails and possible difficulties accompanying it. For some who experience the fulfillment of serving abroad, it is enormously rewarding. But for an increasing number of others, it poses personal challenges and issues they never anticipated or were prepared for.

According to experts, three out of four missionaries come home before their term of service is up. Of those who came home, 80 percent said if someone had come alongside to support them in their own needs and issues, they possibly would have stayed longer.

In an effort to address this growing need for support of servants in ministry, Barnabas International was established in 1986. The organization consists of 80 members who provide pastoral care to global servants, wherever they are located.

Carmel residents and long-time Northview Church members, Kevin and Kathy Rowe, felt led to offer their talents in this service. In January of 2009, they were accepted as members of Barnabas International. Now, they face their first assignment: to provide ministry support in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It’s a three year commitment for the couple, who have two boys in college, who will remain in the US; their daughter, who is currently a sophomore in high school, will accompany them to Chiang Mai.

According to Rowe, who has worked in the Carmel schools as a crisis counselor the past 17 years and is a licensed marriage and family therapist, as well as a pastor himself, it is a life-long vision. “When Kathy and I were married, we dreamed about one day using our talents overseas,” he confides.

The city and region of Thailand were chosen due to its central location. “There are 3,000 missionaries living in Chiang Mai,” Rowe explains.

His wife Kathy, who is a registered nurse, describes it as a center of activity. “Currently, 70 some missionaries have offices in Chiang Mai. It’s a real hub for all Asian missionaries because people are coming in and out all the time,” she shares.

Their mission will involve being a part of a team, working in a support community.

“In the beginning there will be at least three couples with us,” Rowe states. Their team will include a Fishers couple, Scott and Lisa Hicks, who have accepted the position as directors of The Well Member Care Center, located in Chiang Mai as well. Rowe says theirs will be the first support team of its kind, in a hub going in and out of Asia.

But, fruition of the dream is not without its challenges; right from the start they’ve had their share. Before they even step foot on Asian soil, the Rowes must first raise the necessary funds to support themselves throughout their 3 year term of service. “It means being fully funded before we leave,” Rowe admits. The money raised will provide for their living and ministry expenses.

The couple estimates their financial expenses will be roughly $6,500 a month.

“That will cover $4,000 in salary, and the rest is ministry expenses,” Rowe explains.

It includes buying a used car, furnishing and renting an apartment and paying for passports and visas, at a minimum. Kathy Rowe cites their personal savings will be tapped to cover individual medical expenses and insurance needs. She will also work as a nurse in the English speaking school their daughter Katura will attend. Tuition for the private school runs about $10,000 a year, but Kathy’s work will off-set that cost. “It’s employment; but a missionary job, one that is not paid,” she says.

“We’re looking for monthly support from anyone who feels led to give,” Rowe says. “We need 120 families to donate $1 a day, for roughly four years.”

He emphasizes, the main point he hopes to convey in the area of funding, “is how others can give to what the Lord is doing in Asia through our ministry.” He calls it “vertical giving; not just horizontal giving.”

The Rowes say their hope is to build a team of supporters who will give $100 a month. In doing so, they will be fully funded by May and able to purchase airline tickets and apply for visas. The goal is to embark for Thailand the second week in July.

To date, the couple has raised 40 percent of the needed funds prior to going.

In a personal commitment prior to the journey, they sold their home in Carmel last August. Kathy notes that, even in the down housing market they received the full asking price and adds, “The home we lived in for 20 years, sold in one week.”

The profits from the sale allowed them to eliminate the mortgage and all other debt.

“It was confirmation that this is the direction we were to go,” she admits.

For more information or to support the Rowe’s mission with Barnabas International, in their three year commitment in Chiang Mai, please visit www.barnabas.org.