Another week, already gone. Does anyone else think this year is just evaporating? Well, at least that means there is another week’s worth of missionary care resources for you to peruse. As always, thank you for caring in such a vital way for the sent ones God has placed in your life.

 

Self Care

(Good spiritual hygiene for global workers)

As a missionary, do you worship idols? Dumb question? Maybe not—at least not if you read how Theresa Bloom defines idolatry. Some careful soul searching may reveal surprising answers.

We become bitter with our sacrifices when we’re making them to ourselves.

Sure, you’ve sacrificed a lot to be where you are doing what you do. Does that mean that the sacrifices others make are of less value? If you aren’t a missionary reading this, maybe you know one who should.

 

Grief is a subject we are all familiar with, but many of us don’t know how to deal well with it. Global workers must process all kinds of losses, which means that they will experience all kinds of grief.

When you lose something that has grounded you and is a major part of who you are in any capacity loss takes place.

Grief specialist Katie Brown writes about the broad scope of missionary losses and how to handle them. You should forward this to all the missionaries you know.

 

Sender Care

(Resources to help sending churches care for their sent ones)

Being a friend to a missionary is a service that should not be underestimated. That’s why the folks at Catalyst Services have devoted the January issue of Postings to this topic. This is a role that anyone in the body of Christ can fill! Download this free resource to learn how.

 

Learning to listen well is a skill every missionary care provider should develop. Emma Brudner writes about seven things great listeners do. How well are you doing?

 

Along the same lines, this New York Times article by Kate Murphy offers some great lessons in the art of listening.

 

If you seek to come alongside MKs and TCKs in a helpful way, you will want to read this article by Dr. Rachel Cason. She talks about the concept of identity, and why it is such a complex and profoundly important issue for children who have been raised cross-culturally.

 

If you care for missionaries who work within honor-shame cultures, you may be interested in the Honor-Shame Conference: Reconciling the Nations. To be hosted at Wheaton College June 8-10. You can find more information on their web site.

 

If you live anywhere near North Richland Hills, TX and you want to learn more about how to care for your missionaries, you should check this out. Experienced missionary care providers will be presenting Missionary Care Summit, March 27-28, and it’s only $20. Sponsored by Mission Resource Network and Great Cities Missions.

 

What is a sending church responsible to do before launching someone into cross-cultural ministry? The folks at The Upstream Collective have compiled a handy checklist of 50 (!) things you should consider. The free download is available here.

 

Professional Care

(Professional level help)

Debriefing is one of the best things a missionary can do for themselves while going through a transition. The folks at Barnabas, International will be hosting two more opportunities in 2020: Interlude will be held in June, and July. Check here for more information. You may want to begin planning now to send your favorite missionary to one of these—your gift to them.

The next opportunity to attend a Recalibrate! debriefing event will be March 29 – April 4. That means it’s already time to register. You’ll find all the details here.

Want to be trained in debriefing? Paracletos is offering 4 opportunities this year (March, June, August, and November). Openings for 6 individuals for each of these 5-day trainings. Comment below to ask for details.

Who do you know that could use some R&R? Paracletos offers top-notch hosting at Baan Sabai Lodge. Check the lodge website for available dates.

 

It’s not too early to start thinking about re-entry programs for MKs—like Reboot. They have limited space for their program next summer, so early registration is encouraged. Who could you sponsor?

 

The folks at Thrive Ministry will be hosting 3 retreats this year: Colorado (USA), Brazil, and South Africa. Did you know that you can volunteer to help staff those retreats? And did you know that you can sponsor someone to attend? Learn more here.

 

I am registered for this phenomenal opportunity, and I’m taking a pastor with me. Frontiers will be conducting a five-day conference in April called CareCon, “designed for pastors, church staff, family members, ministry partners, and anyone who wants to support global workers.” Will I see you there? I’d love to connect!

 

Book Recommendations

(Useful titles to have on your m’care bookshelf)

Here’s a classic—perhaps one of the first books every written to address the concept of sending missionaries in a worthy manner. Serving As Senders Today (the revised and expanded version), by Neil Pirolo, “addresses the need for people to partner with missionaries and the six areas of care” that missionaries need. This book is an excellent tool for mission committees to study together.

 

That about does it for this week. Be sure to stop by every Friday for the latest resources that will help you care well for the missionaries you love.