It was 6:00 in the morning. I’d woken up early to slip out before the baby woke. The silhouette of pine trees contrasting against the shimmering grey of the lake comforted me, beckoned me. I had dreams of having my morning coffee on the deck and doing some writing. Alone. I just wanted to be …
I want so badly to do this perfectly. It’s like somewhere inside I believe if I do all the “right things” I can keep the bad things at bay. I hold tightly to this belief like a child gripping a flashlight to chase away the monsters under the bed. Almost 8 months pregnant, I plan …
I lived on the red-earthed roads of Uganda for almost seven years. It’s so much different to live in a place than to visit it. Over time, you get to see the complexities of issues that others only have distorted, rosy snapshots of. Short term missions trips would see smiling faces of children in orphanages …
Ethical Adoption Part One: The Problem with Orphanages Read More »
Yesterday I did my first Facebook Live on my business page. I was excited and nervous (I don’t love being on video so this was a personal “being brave” moment for me) and I was worried technology wouldn’t cooperate, but it went beautifully! Toxic Missions Environments: Is it you or them who is unhealthy? Posted by Sarita Hartz …
Video: Toxic Missions Environments: Is it You or Them? Read More »
It’s that time again! I’m doing another survey, and things might get controversial, which I’m stoked about! If you’re a missionary/global worker of any kind, (whether current or former) I want to hear your story. Specifically around your experiences with your Sending Organization/Church/NGO. This is your chance to rate your sending organization (Exciting huh?) This can …
Rate Your Missions Sending Organization: Take the Free Survey Read More »
If you’d asked me a few years ago, this wouldn’t have been the hill I staked my flag on. Hell, I’m not even sure I want to now….aren’t Millennials kinda (pardon my French)…assholes? But every day I see beautiful, passionate, world changers torn to bits by the machine that is missions, limping home disillusioned, cynical, …
The Surprising Ways the Church is Failing Millennial Missionaries Read More »
I’ve realized in my work that when you want to serve people the way they want to be served and you’re not sure how to do that, it’s best just to ask. It’s amazing how validating and soothing the simple words, “What do you need?” can be. To this end, I’ve created a brief, 5 minute …
I was born in 1981 so I think that technically makes me a Millennial missionary. (Maybe I should duck and run for cover now?) Let’s face it, a lot of people crap on Millennials. Fairly or unfairly they’ve gotten a bad rap. We’ve all seen the John Crist spoofs about the entitlement of the Millennial generation. They’re …
Day three into the new year and I’m already failing. At least those are the thoughts I woke up with. There’s nothing like New Year’s resolutions to send you into a shame spiral, where you start hand fisting Oreos while trying to fit everything on your calendar. I’m not unfamiliar with failure. I spent New …
My first year on the mission field I experienced spiritual abuse, discouragement from others, debilitating sickness, isolation, culture shock, lies, theft, betrayal, setbacks, harassment, vicarious trauma, depression, and fatigue. As a single woman then, I went through most of this alone. And yet, somewhere within myself, I found the courage to continue on in my purpose …
I came home after a long day in the IDP camps, tired and sweaty with barely enough energy to make myself a sad bowl of pasta (for one) before I curled under the covers. I was journaling when I looked up and saw the largest spider I’d ever seen crawling across the ceiling. I unsuccessfully tried to kill it …
The Single Missionary, What the Church Should Know Read More »
I have a confession. I love being alone. This might sound strange to people who gather that I’m an extrovert from my personality, because I love engaging with people and hearing their stories. But the truth is, I’m an introvert. I’m an extroverted introvert. Yes, I’m one of the weird ones, which means I’m often …
