I have been reminded of the powerful effect of a personal visit this week. Friends who come to you—just because they are friends—make a powerful statement. As a missionary advocate, your initiative in caring for global workers is more valuable than you probably imagine. Don’t wait for them to come to you.

 

PRE-FIELD

Language and culture acquisition is often the first priority of new missionaries, yet often they have little or no training in how to go about it. The LAMP approach is a very effective method (Language Acquisition Made Practical). You may want to recommend this to someone you know who will need it.

 

LIFE ON THE FIELD

Lauren Pinkston offers this sage advice on how to stay healthy amidst all the changes on the mission field. Inform yourself, for sure. But then forward this to the global workers you love.

 

Everyone deals with stress. But stress levels on the mission field are often multiple times higher than back in the sending country. Here is a handy guide to help recognize when stress gets out of hand, and how to manage it.

 

This article was written with leaders in mind, but it applies just as well to most missionaries. Global workers live with the pressure of too much work and too few workers. The temptation is to cut back on down time. As Erin Blonshine says, don’t do it.

 

FUNDRAISING

Are you involved in the life of missionaries who are trying to raise support for their ministry? Here is a great resource that will help you and them. Ask a Missionary is a kind of wiki-forum on all things related to mission work.

 

Here’s another post that people you know who are trying to raise support will find helpful. Six things a letter of introduction should include. While you’re there, check out this other post about the importance of relationship building in the course of fundraising.

 

Terry Sherman believes that good missionary care includes ensuring that they are adequately funded. To that end he has developed an online training course to help global workers raise the support they need.

 

MKs/TCKs

Bethany Brummitt looks like someone to keep an eye on. Born and raised on the mission field, she now is a professional counselor.

I sincerely hope you’ll join me in this blogging journey as we explore all things missions and mental health with the ultimate hope of encouraging Kingdom Builders to embrace or renew the freedom, purpose and fulfillment already promised them in Christ.

I plan to join her; I hope you do, too.

 

Adult TCK and TCK advocate Marilyn Gardner has re-released her book about TCK identity under the title Worlds Apart: A Third Culture Kid’s Journey. If you are involved in caring for missionary kids, you will find Marilyn’s insights to be quite helpful.

 

 

TRANSITION

Marilyn Gardner knows a thing or three about saying good-bye. Raised on the mission field, then raising her own children on a different field, she understands the importance of proper good-byes.

Honor the goodbye. Honor the grief that comes with the goodbye.

Share this with those you know who will soon be going through a transition.

 

Want to be able to pray with more insight for your friends returning overseas? Anisha Hopkinson’s article will give you perspective that will enhance your petitions.

 

 

EVENTS

The folks at Interaction International are offering a transition seminar for TCKs returning to the U.S. It will be held in Colorado Springs, CO from July 21 through July 27.

 

It is hard to overstate the value of retreats for missionary women. But the cost in terms of travel time and registration fees can prevent many from attending. That’s why the virtual retreats hosted by Velvet Ashes are genius. Watch this video to learn more.

 

Sometimes the best encouragement is simply found in being together.

Thrive retreats provide counseling, massage therapy, small group interaction, worship and prayer time, beauty care, and speaker sessions for women in cross-cultural ministry—all for $125! There is one coming up in Colorado in July, and one in the Philippines in October. Who would you like to send?

 

EQUIP YOURSELF

Many of you have relationships with missionary families. And because missionary work often involves a great deal of transitioning, you should know about the Families in Global Transition web site. Take a look particularly at the resources they offer.

 

Sometimes the best way to handle life overseas is to laugh. That’s Cath Brew’s prescription, and to help you laugh she has produced a delightful book of 100 cartoons depicting expat life. You will enjoy it; those you know serving overseas will enjoy it. Get one for yourself, and one to give away.

 

BUMP IT UP A NOTCH

Now here’s a radical idea: The folks at Café 1040 designed this experience as a prelude to overseas service. What if you enrolled as a way to gain first-hand knowledge about life on the mission field? Imagine how your capacity to care would be expanded by doing something like this! And what if you did it along with someone you know who is planning to go to the field?

 

 

Physically going somewhere to visit a missionary is something they will never forget. But you can also go virtually. And however you go, when you take resources like these with you, your interaction will be even more profound. Thanks for stopping by.

 

What I’m reading this week:

• Winston S. Churchill: World in Torment: 1916-1922, by Martin Gilbert
• Winter: A Spiritual Biography of the Season, Gary Schmidt, ed.

• Your Best Year Ever, by Michael Hyatt

Just finished reading:

• The Emotionally Healthy Woman, by Gerri Scazzero (read with my wife)
• Experiencing Grief, by H. Norman Wright
• Terrific! Five Star Customer Service, by Stan Toler & Keith Hawk
• Living Far Away, by Esther Abbott
• Moving Far Away, by Esther Abbott
• Ali and Nino, by Kurban Said

Up next:

• Consider Your Calling, by Gordon Smith

• Emotionally Healthy Leaders, by Peter Scazzero