Church village a haven for missionaries

ROGERS — Cradling drowsy 3-month-old Logan in his arms, Nick Carter smiled as he talked about life in the missionary village.

The landscape is lush and green and the roomy, three-bedroom house a luxury for his young family.

"This is the biggest place we've ever lived in," said his wife, Angie.

These aren't typical Spartan missionary dwellings, nor are they located in some faraway country. This small village is on the campus of Fellowship Bible Church of Northwest Arkansas. Resembling the culde-sac of a quiet subdivision, it's a haven for missionaries on furlough like the Carters, who returned to the state in April after a two-year stint in Japan.

Logan came into the world soon after, surprising them by arriving six weeks early. Having a readymade home, complete with baby items, was a blessing.

"I don't think I can put into words how reassuring it was," Carter said. "We knew we didn't have to find aplace to live right way and we didn't have to be in a rush to do things."

The Carters, who are both 31, had been living in an apartment in Rogers before leaving for Kitakyushu, Japan, in 2007, so they didn't have a house to sell. But they did have todownsize dramatically. They sold most of their possessions - furniture, car and household items. When they began planning to return to Arkansas they had no place to stay, no car, no basic necessities. That's where their church familystepped in.

Dick Nelson, missions director, said the missionary village was part of the original vision of the church's founders. Years ago, when the church offices were constructed, the facilities were built so they could later be moved and divided into individual dwellings. Church leaders envisioned the village as a way to further help missionaries supported by the congregation. When new administrative offices were built, the missionary village was created.

The village includes five buildings. Three are used by missionaries on furlough. One serves as the residence of a staff member who takes care of the facilities and the other is used by college interns serving at the church. The village also has a hospitality room for meetings and is used by missionaries and the congregation.

Nelson said small groups in the church donated their time and muscle power to transform the houses. Supporters donated furniture, hoping to help provide the missionarieswith a comfortable, stress-free way to re-enter the everyday life they left behind to serve in the mission field.

"They are fully furnished, down to the tableware," Nelson said. "And, they are free. We don't charge a dime."

The church pays utility costs, mows the lawns, offers free wireless Internet service and takes care of maintenance problems. The church has donated cars that missionaries are welcome to use while staying in the village. The staff usually has a few groceries waiting for the missionaries when they arrive, as well.

"I really think it's a critical piece in missionary care," Nelson said.

Missionaries are welcome at all church functions, but aren't pressured to attend or speak at gatherings. Nelson said some enjoy sharing their stories, while others "want to chill."

"We don't put any strings on it," he said. "They are welcomed into the life of the church and community. It just takes a lot of the pressure off."

Nelson said mission work is an integral part of Fellowship Bible Church and supporting missionaries in the field and at home is vital.

"It's an incredibly important part of why we exist - to send leaders out to make an impact in the world," he said.

The dwellings are only available to missionaries supported by the church, and are almost always occupied as missionaries come and go. The dwellings are available on a first come, first served basis and the length of stay varies. Some missionaries stay for a few weeks, while others remain an entire year. The Carters plan to stay through the fall.

While in Japan, the couple worked with other missionaries, leading Bible studies and teaching English. Although both had been on short-term mission trips before, this was their first long-term venture. It came about by chance.

Carter said members of the church had been on a mission trip to Japan a few years ago and were planning a secondtrip. A member of the team had to pull out of the mission, and Angie was asked if she and Nick would like to step in. They did, and while in Japan they met other missionaries working with Operation Helping Hands.

"While we were there they asked us to consider coming back," Carter said. "And we did."

Carter said they had a little bit of culture shock when they returned to the United States, but staying in the village has been a haven as they readjust to life in Arkansas.

"I don't know if words adequately describe how much it has helped us," Carter said.

For now, Angie is busy taking care of Logan while Nick works at a machine shop as they contemplate the future.

"We are undecided, but looking seriously at returning to the field," Carter said. "If we go back it will be long-term and we would like to have a team. We're praying about that."

Angie said being in the village and so close to the church has helped them to feel less isolated. Visitors stop by often. They wish other missionaries could have the same support.

"We talked with other missionaries about how different their experiences are and we hope Fellowship will be a model or a trendsetter," Nick Carter said. "We would love them all to have this kind of experience."