Confession time: I did not post last week. But you probably already knew that. I skipped a week because I was at a conference on missionary care. My head is overflowing with things to write about from those 4 days. But today…today I need to hustle and get my backlog of resources up so that you can continue to enhance your skills in caring for global workers. My comments will be sparse this time, but I’m confident you will want to check these out. It’s our Oktoberfest of resources!

 

LIFE ON THE FIELD

Hitting a wall early on. Pretty normal for newbies on the field. This should encourage them.

Waiting is a way of life on the mission field. Your friends on the field will enjoy this.

Vulnerability – perhaps the most valuable ability a missionary can have. How you factor in.

Another important skill for cross-cultural workers is the ability to ask good questions. Jerry Jones explains AND offers 99 examples your friends on the field will want to have.

Resilience – it’s the buzz word these days in missionary care. Here is a resilience creed that everyone you know on the field should see.

When running the race feels like too much (and that can be often!) How to keep on keeping on. Know anyone who could use this right now?

Isolation—both physical and emotional—can be a huge factor in why m’s lose hope. Remind them that they are not alone, with this article.

What do those on the receiving end really want from global workers? Here’s what one person had to say. Might be good if every missionary read this.

Upgrade your prayers with these creative prompts.

Why differences of opinion are actually healthy for a team. Just in case any of the m’s you know work on a team…

Living Well Cambodia offers a slew of counseling, coaching, marriage resources – and much, much more. Who do you know working in that part of the world?

Many people miss the sights, smells, and memories of Autumn while living elsewhere than North America. Send them these links from Emily Gibson.

Comparison is a killer in ministry. Here’s why – and what can be done about it.

Rest is such an obvious need, but so neglected. Here are five ways your friends on the field can find and accept the rest God offers.

How does a field worker know when they need a break? Karis Piawong suggests 7 signs.

Related to the above: taking a close look inside. Why m’s should invite the Holy Spirit to take inventory as a routine part of their self-care.

 

MKs and TCKs

Third culture kids and the conundrum of home. Enhance your awareness of their unique needs.

Want to help MKs feel loved when they transition to their passport country? Michele Phoenix offers a fantastic opportunity.

Great advice for high school seniors planning to attend college next year.

Why going to college is usually different (and difficult) for TCKs.

 

TRANSITION

Here is a great compendium of articles and thoughts on coming and going well. Definitely one to bookmark.

 

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.

Coming to Peoria, Illinois November 16-19, the International Conference On Missions (ICOM) will include a missionary care track. You should consider attending. Check out their Facebook page for more details.

Know anyone ministering in Haiti? (Who doesn’t?!) A very difficult place to work, to say the least. Chances are they would benefit from the resources of Zoe Roots, including retreats. By the way – we are aware of a family that could desperately use what the next retreat in November has to offer. If you are interested in helping us provide them with a scholarship, drop me a line.

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?

Radiant Life Retreat to be held in Grand Rapids, MI this December. A debrief and wellness experience for cross-cultural workers.

 

UP YOUR GAME

Why you should be reading all you can about missionary care (among other things.)

Good listening is the most important skill you can have in caring for missionaries. Now you can be trained to do that well.

 

EQUIP YOURSELF

Here is what it’s like for a woman living in a central Asian culture. It’s not what you think.

There is no substitute for showing up in the life of someone you care about. And might I add, there’s no substitute for you.

What not to say to someone on home assignment. (That is, if you really want to keep the conversation going…)

Five things that cause m’s to leave the field. This will give you prayer material.

Risk vs suffering vs danger – what you need to know. References a book I recently acquired (and you should too).

For when you go visit your friends on the field: a travel safety guide.

Want to hear some of what I got to hear at the conference last week? You can if you click here.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

Just for fun: a number of indexes to compare the cost of living around the world in terms of popular foods and other criteria.

 

Whew! Glad I left out a few or we’d all be here until this time next week! Thanks for being concerned for the spiritual well-being of your friends on the mission field. 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 those friends.

 

New on my nightstand (books that arrived this week):

• The Mood Elevator, by Larry Senn
• Beautiful Outlaw, by John Eldredge
• All Things New, by John Eldredge
• The Search for Significance (updated version), by Robert McGee
• Altar Ego, by Craig Groeschel
• Winter’s Promise, by Ken Gire
• The Broken Way, by Ann Voskamp
• Knowing Christ Today, by Dallas Willard

What I’m reading this week:

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

Just finished reading:

• 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
• Writing a Winning Support Letter, by Mike Kim

Up next:

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