This post was originally published on Velvet Ashes. Dear Younger Self, I wish I could go back and tell you that it’s good to take care of yourself—that people-pleasing, wanting to be perfect, and the good intentions that drive you to meet every need will eventually end up destroying you. You have the heart of …
This is a significant and nuanced podcast episode where I speak with Anna Hampton, author of Facing Danger, A Guide Through Risk, and Facing Fear, about her life in Afghanistan, and how global workers can take mitigated and Holy Spirit-led risks on the mission field. We discuss how we as mothers can both protect and entrust our children …
Why do we need millennials in missions even though they make mistakes? How can we learn from the failures and experience of older-generation missionaries who have gone before us? Seth Barnes knows a lot about failure, but he parlayed that failure into launching one of the biggest missions sending organizations in the world: The World …
Millennial Missionaries, Failure and Knowledge Transfer with Seth Barnes Read More »
Have you ever wondered how to be resilient in re-entry? I recently did a survey on my blog and the majority of you asked for a guide on how to do re-entry in a healthy, resilient way. So I’m pleased to announce I’ve created this eBook with you in mind to give you the tools …
New Free Ebook A Global Workers Guide to Resilient Re-entry Read More »
I lived on the mission field in Uganda for five years before I truly understood the importance of caring for my emotional and physical health as a missionary. Of course, I was prioritizing my spiritual health, but sadly, neglecting the body, mind, and spirit connection. The emotional health of missionaries is often ignored for the …
Happy Thanksgiving! As we gather around, may we set a table in the wilderness for those who are lonely, or feel disillusioned in their faith, may we host those who are different from us, who challenge our theological beliefs. May we welcome those who are struggling with grief, or trying to heal from a church …
Christianity Today Article: What is a Missionary Kid Worth? Read More »
Motherhood isn’t what I thought it would be. I hate even saying that. Eight weeks in and I’m dreaming of a Mexican beach. Completely alone. No tiny fingernails digging into my flesh. If you’ve seen my Instagram feed then you know I had a baby. A long awaited, long fought for baby. A baby I …
When you’re in the middle of deep suffering sometimes all you can do is exhale anguished prayers between sobs. Those prayers sound more like “Help” and “Please” than they do anything intelligible. All you can manage is to play worship music over yourself and let the words believe for you when you can’t utter the sounds. …
Suffering, The Uninvited Companion: A Scott Shaum Interview Read More »
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 …
Dear Future Missionary, I want you to know I feel you. I see your heart bursting with promise with all you will do. And I say yes, bring your expectations, your passion, your wild and crazy ideas, your belief that you can change the world and anything is possible. It’s what gets us all here, …
Dear Future Missionary: How to Prepare for Missions Read More »
“Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart It was dry season in Africa, the sunflower heads wilting in the heat, thirsty for drops of rain. …
5 Ways to Support the Missionary in Your Life this Christmas Read More »
Trauma and loss happen to us all. Suffering is a part of life. But sometimes things occur and we don’t know or recognize it as trauma, or as something to be grieved. So we go on living, and eventually these traumas pile high inside us like dirty laundry and the burden begins to take its toll. …
