Abstract
This article has to do with the catastrophic upheaval many missionaries experience upon return to their home country permanently and the lack of mission agencies to deal effectively with the resulting crash-and-burn syndrome experienced. After introducing the topic, the article describes some of what the missionary is experiencing on a personal level and how he or she may attempt to soften the blow of re-integration into the home culture. Following this the article deals with the responsibility of mission agencies concerning the re-integration process of returned missionaries. Suggestions for the establishment of policies and procedures of re-integration are made concerning the following areas of administrative and pastoral care: communication, finance, medical care, official debriefing, formal closure, and attitude and perception.
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