I love putting this together for you each week, because I know you love missionaries and want to do everything you can to help them flourish on the field. Lots of resources for your own equipping this time, and many that are meant for you to share. Enjoy!

 

LIFE ON THE FIELD

Despite what most people believe, not all missionaries are extroverts. In reality there is a large percentage of introverts—but they are often expected to function as though they were extroverts. Sarita Hartz offers five ways for your introverted friends to thrive in missions.

A leader’s biggest challenge (and a missionary’s as well): spending so much time working for Jesus that there is no time left for him to work in them. That’s Scott Rodin’s observation, and he has some good advice for countering that problem.

The evidence is piling up: Napping increases effectiveness. Global workers are frequently overwhelmed by the needs surrounding them. It seems there is never enough time to do all that could be done. So how does one justify taking naps? Have them read this piece by Austin Kleon.

Along those same lines, Brad Stulberg writes about the art and science of getting some rest. Want your missionary friends to thrive? Send them this. Want to be at your best in caring for them? Practice what you preach.

Michael Hyatt adds his two cents on the subject of naps. He cites several famous people who insisted on daily rest. Your friends on the field should follow suit.

Want more detailed information about the importance of sleep? Head over to Health Ambition. This is something you might want to forward to your friends on the field.

Besides regular naps, Michael Hyatt also advocates routine sabbaticals. Mandi Rivieccio, one of his employees, shares three benefits that she has experienced.

Speaking of sabbaticals—how about an entire year of rest? Sheridan challenges us to think in biblical terms in this article. What would this look like in the lives of your global worker friends?

Gwen Moran shares the secrets of the most resilient people. While you’re over there, check out the related articles that are linked to this one.

Depression is much more common among field workers than you’d imagine. They just don’t tend to talk about it much. But you should. Share this article by Heather Hicks with anyone you know is fighting that battle.

We have known for a long time that physical exercise can help relieve stress. Dr. Emily Deans has evidence it can help prevent depression as well.

Where there is no doctor (you can trust). Humorous piece by Alicia Boyce about the realities of dealing with medical needs on many mission fields.

 

TRANSITION

Decompression layovers. They’re a remarkably helpful way to reduce the stress of transition between countries. The folks at Taking Route have a series on that topic that you might want to pass around.

Curiosity can be a real asset to those who are in transition.

Transitions are like new expeditions into unexplored territory. As we set out on transition’s path, we may be surprised at what sparks interest and fuels motivation.

Life coach Tim Austin explains.

 

MKs/TCKs

Lauren Wells talks about the “hidden losses” TCKs eventually encounter.

Subconscious, unmet expectations are one of the root causes of many of the issues that adult TCKs deal with.

Equip yourself for walking alongside them by reading this article.

 

POMs (Parents of Missionaries)

Want to reduce the stress that the missionary you raised feels when he or she returns? Check out these pointers from the folks at Taking Route.

 

SINGLES

This single woman wants you to know how you can truly contribute to the wellbeing of singles on the field.

Sarita Hartz has penned this great piece about singleness on the mission field, based on a recent survey she conducted. Read it to inform yourself, then forward it to your single missionary friends and anyone you know who supports singles.

 

FUNDRAISING

Missionary Tom Carlton does an excellent job of explaining how faith-based workers are financed. You owe it to yourself to understand this.

Aaron Babyar offers this piece on strategically seeking referrals. Share this with those you know who are raising support.

 

EVENTS

Adequate pre-field training is a proven deterrent to premature departure from ministry. Here is an excellent one-week intensive coming to Louisville, KY in January.

MissionPREP offers pre-field training as well as debriefing. Their next debriefing event will be in December and is based on the DAR program at MTI.

Here’s another debriefing opportunity hosted by CIT (Center for Intercultural Training). It will be held in North Carolina in December.

Coming up November 16: a webinar entitled Missionary Accountability and Missionary Care: Both/And, Not Either/Or. I’m signed up; should you be?

 

EQUIP YOURSELF

Listening is the beginning of love for the brethren, Bonhoffer said. Patty Stallings adds that listening well is holy work. How are your listening skills?

Do you have missionary friends who are hypersensitive to their environment? (It’s not as uncommon as you might think.) Ruth has some good ideas for them. She even includes a link to a test to help determine their level of sensitivity, along with some good books and articles.

Souls under construction. That’s how Marilyn Gardner describes us all. Her thoughts are particularly helpful when you’re dealing with broken missionaries.

Scroll down and read Dr. Christina Baird’s article on proactive missionary care. How can you be a part of making this happen? I will be writing extensively on this topic in the near future.

Here’s a great resource to help you care for families. You might want to order the book that this site is built around.

Conflict resolution. You may be called upon to try and mitigate what is often considered the number reason missionaries quit. Jim Van Yperen’s free download was written for leaders, but the principles apply to all of us.

Like a cool drink of water. That’s what scripture says news from afar is like. Listen to Jeff Jackson as he explains just how important your communication is to folks on the field.

Shane Bennet’s post is geared toward mobilization, but you will find some useful ideas for yourself as an advocate as well.

Marina Bromley offers five easy ways you can support a missionary. You can do all of these, right now. If you’re already doing them, how can you bump them up a notch?

 

UP YOUR GAME

For those of you who itinerate in your role as shepherd to global workers, Scott Shaum has some words of wisdom.

Learn how to develop, preserve, and restore the lives of missionary workers. That’s what YWAM is offering in this two-and-a-half-week course. Apply now for this January 2 through February 2, 2018 event in Richmond, Virginai.

The Journal of Cross-Cultural Family Studies looks like it will be a great source for scholarly papers. It is new, with only one issue so far, but if you like deeper studies you’ll want to return to this site.

 

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:

• Moving Far Away, by Esther Abbott

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

Just finished reading:

• The Space Between Words, by Michele Phoenix
• Th!nk, by Michael LeGault
• Writing a Winning Support Letter, by Mike Kim
• Winston S. Churchill: The Challenge of War, 1914-1916, by Martin Gilbert
• Not There Yet, by Perry Noble

Up next:

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