Casual Friday

Apr 28, 2017 | Casual Friday, Missionary Care, Thriving, Transition

Well, we’re back from our month of travels. The worst part of being gone is digging out from under the backlog when you return. But the good part is we have a ton of resources to share with you this week. So without further ado…

LIFE ON THE FIELD

Michelle Gielan writes about how to avoid being sucked into the negativity of our noisy world. Global workers could use this advice.

Missionaries can feel the pressure of having many people to please, some of whom might expect superhuman results. This article reassures women that they don’t have to be Wonder Woman.

Waiting is as much a part of missionary life as change. It can be hard, as Adora Wong admits. Share this with your friends on the field who could use some encouragement.

Speaking of waiting… Renee Aupperlee wants to know the state of your heart when you are forced to wait. Good check-up for the global workers you know.

Vicarious trauma. It’s real. And it can affect most anyone serving cross-culturally. As someone who has suffered from it in a big way, Sarita Hartz offers some wise advice on the subject.

This piece by Rachel Pieh Jones is as much for you advocates as it is for your missionary friends who have left the field. Important stuff for all of us to remember.

There are plenty of people who want to critique your missionary friends. Don’t be among them. They are already prone to try and perform, and that’s not why God called them overseas.

Only in Jesus is there 100% acceptance before even 1% performance.

Ann Voskamp offers this piece on the real cure for burnout.

As we’ve said many, many times—conflict with co-workers is the number one reason for missionary attrition. Sarita Hartz talks about how to do conflict on the mission field.

Bill Tell gives two reasons why missionaries won’t do what they know is best for them if they want to handle stress in a healthy manner.

TRANSITION

Know anyone who has return permanently from the field? Craig Thompson speaks their language. They might like to read this (and so might you).

The ever-practical Jennilee Goodwin writes about how to deal with the emotions associated with transition. Know someone in that category that you should forward this to?

Jerry Jones has written extensively on the topic of transition. Here are four of his best posts, including one that you advocates should read, and one for those who are left behind.

MKs/TCKs

Ten questions Jerry Jones says every missionary parent should ask their children. It wouldn’t hurt if you knew them, too.

EQUIP YOURSELF

Rest is a commodity that God provides for all, but few actually appropriate. In this podcast Mark Buchanan talks about how you can help change that for the missionaries you know.

In this podcast Becky Matchullis talks about how you can care for missionary families as they engage in transition.

Distance does change the nature of friendships, but it doesn’t have to be negative. Kirsten Holmberg explains what you should know.

Christie Chu weighs in on the subject of long-distance relationships with this piece.

Listening well is a skill anyone can acquire. In this post Heather Kenny’s guest writer offers some great tips for enhancing your skills.

Want to add some serious skills to your missionary care repertoire? Check out the Nikanor Project’s workshops and seminars.

And on a lighter note… Take a look at real life on the field in this post from Denise James. Besides a good laugh, you’ll get some real practical prayer ammo as well.

EVENTS

Debriefing is a gift that every returning missionary should receive. You could sponsor someone to attend Recalibrate! this October.

I better quit. Got some other backlog to tackle, so I’ll leave you with these. May God use you mightily in the lives of your missionary friends as you make use of these resources.

What I’m reading this week:

  • Winston S. Churchill: Youth, 1874-1900, by Randolph S. Churchill
  • Songs from the Heart: Meeting with God in the Psalms, by Tim Riordan
  • The Golden Sayings of Epictetus
  • The Prophetic Imagination, by Walter Brueggemann

Just finished reading:

  • Psalm 166, by Kyle Burkholder
  • Running on Empty, by Fil Anderson
  • Life of the Beloved, by Henri Nouwen
  • You Are What You Love, by James Smith

Up next:

  • Breaking the Rules, by Fil Anderson
  • Th!nk, by Michael LeGault