Casual Friday Systemic Care Resources

Mar 17, 2017 | Casual Friday, Thriving, Transition

Years ago a tree surgeon explained to me the difference between systemic care and symptomatic care. To put it simply, systemic treatment deals with the root of problems, not just the manifestations. To truly help our missionary friends thrive in their ministries, we must learn to deal with the internal issues out of which many of their outer problems arise. That’s what many of this week’s resources will help you do.

EVENTS

Velvet Ashes online retreat. A unique idea with incredible benefits. Make sure all your female missionary friends know about this event coming up the end of April.

Returning Well Groups. Transition is a huge part of missionary life, and it isn’t always easy. Author and coach Melissa Chaplin will be hosting group sessions in April and June for those just returning from the field (some conditions are required).

MK ReEntry Seminar 2017. Hosted at Biola University in LaMirada, California, USA, July 16-28. Re-entry events like this are highly recommended for older teens returning to the States.

CareGivers Forum. An excellent opportunity to meet and interact with people like yourself—missionary care providers. To be held at Ridgecrest Conference Center near Ashville, North Carolina, October 29 – November 1.

Interlude. “A debriefing retreat for global workers. A time to process your story.” Provided by Barnabas International. June 13-16 in Carmel, IN, USA and July 31-Aug 3 in Littleton, CO, USA.

Thrive Conferences. Held at various places around the world for U.S. and Canadian women who live and work cross-culturally. Check out the upcoming event to be held in Colorado July 18-21. Not only can you pass this information on to missionary women you know who will be in the U.S. this summer, you can volunteer to help at the retreat or help sponsor someone who is going.

LIFE ON THE FIELD

The key to thriving on the mission field is learning to abide in Christ. To recognize and respond to his presence in every aspect of life. Who do you know that would be encouraged by these words from Elizabeth Pflederer?

I press on to know Him because He knows, and He is here, and there is no space in which He cannot be found.

What makes life on the mission field so stressful? Ruth will give you a pretty good idea in this honest post. Now you know how to pray…

Here is a tremendous resource for those working in southeast Asia. The Life Journey Center in Penang, Malaysia offers counseling, coaching, member care training, and more. Pass this on to your friends in the area.

Extreme ministry. That’s Michele Phoenix’s term for the missionary mindset that leads to disaster. What she describes is no less than an epidemic among global workers. Read this, read it again…then share it with every missionary and missionary advocate you know. I’m not kidding.

MKs/TCKs

Child abuse. It’s an unfortunate reality—as much so on the mission field as anywhere else. Dave and Mary Decker offer five ways adults can protect children. You need to know this stuff; the missionary parents you know need to know it as well.

Interaction International is “today’s voice for Third Culture Kids and internationally mobile families.” You’ll find lots of useful resources and information on their site. Be sure and check out their upcoming seminars.

TRANSITION

Be sure and check out the Returning Well group sessions that Melissa Chaplin is offering above. You probably know someone you should pass this on to.

EQUIP YOURSELF

The most important skill for you to hone, if you truly want to be a help to your missionary friends, is the skill of listening. And to be able to listen well you must learn to quiet your own heart first. Jodie Pine explains.

Several years later, God taught me more about the need to quiet my heart before ministering to others.

Five lies people believe about missionaries. How many of these have you bought into?

“I don’t know what’s going on in your life today…but this I do know, and I stake my life on it: Before he ever called us, he saw us.” As Marilyn Gardner says, “this is what missions is all about.” Your friends on the field would be delighted to receive this from you.

Is it safe? That’s the question many of us would ask when someone says they are headed for certain mission fields. The short answer is no—but it’s the wrong question to ask, as Kelly Delp explains.

Want to help your missionary friends thrive in their ministry? Mindy Caliguire can help. Check out her SoulCare web site for plenty of ideas and resources that you can use and pass around.

FOR YOUR LIBRARY

Mindy Caliguire has penned a series of books on soul care that you might want on your shelf. You might also consider buying a set to give to your favorite global worker.

 

May you revel in the lavish love of our Father God this week. And may the overflow spill onto every missionary you know. See you next week.

What I’m reading this week:

  • Running on Empty, by Fil Anderson
  • Winston S. Churchill: Youth, 1874-1900, by Randolph S. Churchill
  • The Golden Sayings of Epictetus

Just finished reading:

  • Life of the Beloved, by Henri Nouwen
  • You Are What You Love, by James Smith
  • Rejoicing in Jesus, by Michael Reeves
  • Accelerate, by John Kotter
  • Seven Days That Divide the World, by John Lennox
  • Delighting in the Trinity, by Michael Reeves
  • Called to be Saints, by Gordon Smith

Up next:

  • The Prophetic Imagination, by Walter Brueggemann