Thanksgiving is just around the corner. When you think of the things for which you are thankful, do your missionary friends come to mind? Are you grateful for your relationships that provide you with opportunities to speak into their lives? I am thankful for you, my readers, who care enough to use these resources. May your tribe increase!

LIFE ON THE FIELD

What can I do for God? That is often the question that drives cross-cultural workers. But what if that was reversed? Before you jump to conclusions, read what Carolyn Watts has to say. It could make a significant difference in the spiritual health of the missionaries you love.

High levels of stress just go with most missionary work. Much of it cannot be alleviated, but it can be managed. Anisha Hopkinson shares half a dozen ways that you’ll want to forward to all your friends on the mission field.

Lauren Pinkston talks about responsible, ethical storytelling in this post. Every missionary who writes prayer letters, every cross-cultural worker who reports on their ministry, should read this.

Most of us are aware that missionaries give up a lot to do the work they do. But many of us may not be aware of the sacrifices that Elizabeth Spencer talks about in this touching piece. Read it to enhance your prayers and understanding.

How do you manage your time well, keep healthy spiritually, physically, and emotionally/mentally, and keep focus on what God wants? That’s what a Pioneer’s appointee asked, and this is how a veteran church planter responded.

TRANSITION

Hyper-transisionitis. The word may be made-up, but the experience is real. You need to understand this aspect of missionary life if you want to come alongside your friends in a meaningful way.

Marey Todd offers this poem that expresses the paradoxical challenges of cross-cultural work. This will add depth to your prayer life.

Moving…again. Dr. Rachel Carson talks honestly about the challenges of frequent transition that many global workers face. You’ll have a better understanding of how to come alongside your friend after reading this.

MKs/TCKs

“The reality is that with every transition, there is loss even when there is ultimate gain.” (from Third Culture Kids: Growing up Among Worlds) Hadassah Grace offers this touching song that will help you understand what the MKs you know go through.

SINGLES

Being a single missionary has its advantages as well as its disadvantages. The latter get far more press, but Sarita Hartz compiled a list of positive comments from her recent survey of singles on the field. Read this for your enlightenment.

ATTRITION

The folks at A Life Overseas are conducting a very important survey, and you can help. Much of the information we have about why missionaries quit is quite old. Hence this survey. Could you please forward this link to all the global workers you know and ask them to participate?

RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT

When should a missionary trust their gut instinct in situations where their safety is at stake? Anna Hampton shares her opinion based on years of living in a risky environment. Make sure the global workers you know in such environments see this.

PRE-FIELD PREP

Marti Wade compiled suggestions from veteran missionaries regarding healthy practices that should be cultivated before someone heads overseas. Which of these surprises you?

EVENTS

“Adelante is a holistic assessment, training and coaching experience for workers living and serving cross-culturally, who have been in their current context between 1-5 years.” A unique opportunity offered by SentWell in Malaga, Spain.

The Poem of God: A Community of Woven Words. This three-day event, hosted by With, Inc. in Pigeon Forge, TN on December 16-18, is designed for ministry workers “who are longing for spiritual renewal and encouragement.” Who do you know that you could send?

EQUIP YOURSELF

Christina Baird continues her discussion on the changes needed in missionary care. In this post she talks about becoming locally grounded and globally informed. You’ll want to see what she has to say.

Until next week, relish God’s grace, revel in your relationship with the Trinity, and continue to believe that your joy will spill over onto your missionary friends.

What I’m reading this week:

• The Emotionally Healthy Woman, by Gerri Scazzero (reading with my wife)
• Moving Far Away, by Esther Abbott

• Winston S. Churchill: World in Torment: 1916-1922, by Martin Gilbert
• Consider Your Calling, by Gordon Smith

Just finished reading:

• Autumn (an anthology)
• The Space Between Words, by Michele Phoenix
• Th!nk, by Michael LeGault
• Writing a Winning Support Letter, by Mike Kim

Up next:

• Emotionally Healthy Leaders, by Peter Scazzero
• Living Far Away, by Esther Abbott