Spring fever – can you feel it? Even when winter weather seemingly refuses to die, it is hard to resist the tug toward new projects this time of year. Perhaps one of your goals has been to expand your understanding and skill in the realm of missionary care. Resources like these are just what you need.

 

LIFE ON THE FIELD

Communication is such an important part of the partnership we call missions. Your friends on the field may question the value of newsletters, or wonder how to write a good one. Jennilee Goodwin addresses both issues in this recent post. Maybe you could forward it?

 

Waiting is one of the most difficult things any of us do. And most of us do not do it well. Missionaries are always waiting for something: a visa, a green light from leadership, a word from home, fruit for their labor… Becky Beresford has some encouraging words that you may want to forward to your missionary friends in waiting.

 

 

MKs/TCKs

This article by adult TCK Brianna Langley will give you some insights into the life of children on the mission field.

One of the many unique experiences that come with being raised overseas is realizing that when you talk about “home” and your parents talk about “home,” you’re referring to two different places.

If you are involved in the lives of missionaries, chances are that you will have opportunities to relate to their children as well. Equip yourself with information like this.

 

Tanya Crossman, author of Misunderstood: The Impact of Growing Up Overseas in the 21st Century, is featured in IMTN Bulletin 10 A brief window into the world of TCKs from the International Missionary Training Network. Lots of succinct information here, as well as several useful resource links.

 

Adult TCK, Dr. Rachel Cason, looks at the topic of committed relationships and why they may be difficult for MKs. Thought-provoking material for those of you who want to understand and better serve MKs and TCKs.

 

Returning to one’s overseas “home” can be emotionally complicated, as Marilyn Gardner well knows. You may want to share this post with any MKs you know who are preparing for such a trip.

 

 

EVENTS

There are a couple  annual gatherings of care providers that you may want to consider attending. They are great opportunities to build upon your skill set and develop a network of like-minded people for the enhancement of your ministry to missionaries. The CareGivers Forum is one event. It will be held October 21-24 at the Green Lake Conference Center in Wisconsin.

The other event is PTM: Pastoral Training in MemberCare, to be held at the Ridgecrest Conference Center in Asheville, NC October 2-5.

 

MKs 21-35 are invited to a back country “encounter with God” in beautiful Alberta, Canada. Wilderness ReBoot is taking registrations for this July 2-7 event. Looking for something a little more tame? Check out the ReBoot 2018 event to be held August 4-11, also in Alberta.

 

“Will you or any global women you know be Stateside this summer? Would a few days of worship, prayer, Biblical teaching, pampering, rest, and fellowship with other women in an idyllic mountain setting be a blessing to your life?” Then you should know about the 2018 Colorado Retreat to be hosted by Thrive July 10-13. Space is limited, so register soon.

 

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.

 

Here’s an intensive debriefing opportunity from the folks at Sanctuary Inn, June 21-23. The venue is a beautiful lodge at the foot of Mt Hood, Oregon. Please note that this event will not be able to accommodate children.

 

Barnabas International will be hosting Interlude, a debriefing retreat, July 24-27 in Indianapolis, IN. A chance to share your story and reflect on God’s work in your life. More information and registration are here.

 

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?

 

Elim retreats, a ministry of Barnabas, International, are held twice a year. “It is our heart to provide spiritual care to each missionary or global worker that participates in order to promote a time of rest, renewal, and restoration.” The next one is scheduled for June 10-15 in Wisconsin.

 

 

EQUIP YOURSELF

It is not hard for those of us who are care providers to question our credentials. In fact, we may see our own pain and trials as a barrier to effectively serving missionaries. Scott Shaum explains why just the opposite is true.

 

 

BUMP IT UP A NOTCH

Psychoeducational and Spiritual Needs of Missionary Kids. Now that’s a mouthful! This looks to be one of those “drinking from a firehose” events that will be worth many times what it costs. If you work with MKs you may want to look into this one-evening-one-day seminar to be held November 14-15 in northern Indiana.

 

 

Thank you for caring enough to stop by here. And thank you for each time you utilize one of these resources to expand your capacity to care well for sent-ones.

 

What I’m reading this week:

• Building a Culture of Innovation, by Cris Beswick et al

• How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth, by Gordon Fee
• Emotionally Healthy Leaders, by Peter Scazzero

• Winston S. Churchill: World in Torment: 1916-1922, by Martin Gilbert

Just finished reading:

• Spring: A Spiritual Biography of the Season, Gary Schmidt, ed.

• The Sin of Certainty, by Peter Enns
• Your Best Year Ever, by Michael Hyatt
• 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

Up next:

• Scripture and Cosmology, by Kyle Greenwood
• The Bible Tells Me So, by Peter Enns