One of the fun parts of going overseas? Seeing new layers of your family show up.
When we first moved, my then-two-year-old–just a toddler–showed himself as one of our primary cultural ambassadors.
Category: professional skills
Meet an Agency: Christ for the City International
Reading Time: 4 minutes
We dig this new, ongoing series–a little cup of coffee with organizations to help you go there, serve Him, and love them even better. (For more thoughts about why you might join an agency–and a handful of reasons you might not–make sure to check out He Said/She Said/You Say? “Should I go overseas with an organization?”, both the pros and the cons.)
Today, we’re grabbing a peppermint mocha, extra foam with Christ for the City International. Pull up a chair.
Tell us what your agency specializes in. What are you passionate about?
We’re completely committed to the transformation of communities by transforming lives and developing leaders in Jesus’ name. Our major focus is on the people most marginalized by society, reaching the lost with the Gospel.
Does Evangelism = Superiority?
Reading Time: 5 minutes
You’ve probably had that moment–the one I’ll call The Freeze.
Someone’s talking about something incredibly difficult in his or her life. Your heart is caught up in compassion. And you can see that knowing Christ–walking with him, being gradually healed by him–would make the difference not only in their now, but indefinitely.
Meet an Agency: Christar
Reading Time: 6 minutes
We’re lovin’ this new, ongoing series–a little meet-and-greet with organizations to help you go there, serve Him, and love them even better. (For more thoughts about why you might join an agency–and a handful of reasons you might not–make sure to check out He Said/She Said/You Say? “Should I go overseas with an organization?”, both the pros and the cons.)
Today, we’re grabbing a cup o’ joe with Christar. Pull up a chair.
Tell us what your agency specializes in. What are you passionate about?
We’re propelled by a zeal to establish churches among the least-reached. We’re talking people who don’t have access to a church where the gospel is preached in their language and culture and proximity. Christar’s going for Christ-honoring transformation in least-reached communities throughout the world where He’s not yet known or worshiped.
Christmas, Rewrapped: Navigating Overseas Holidays, Part II
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Missed the first part? Grab it here.
Scrolling through Facebook that day brought a bit of sadness, glimpsing all those photos of a white Christmas in Little Rock, of all places. I’d prayed for that so many times for my kids. Well, and myself.
But a few minutes later, I was playing Christmas music while I spread mayo for sandwiches. Some old lyrics belted out:Haul out the holly/ Put up the tree before my spirit falls again… And I realized, that was why I wanted to be there, enjoying the snow (not to mention the family!). I longed for the emotion of that holiday sparkle; the cozy magic that, with all the right elements, seems to frost everything with light and togetherness and fun, muting the rough edges.
Christmas, Rewrapped: Navigating Overseas Holidays, Part I
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Your first year overseas has a way of rearranging your life, your brain, your family, your body. So it makes sense your holidays would follow.
You may be wondering what Christmas looks like away from the lines to meet Santa, the obnoxious Black Friday ads–but also far from the welcoming hugs from mom, the family clustered around the tree or piano belting out carols.
My experience? Like most of overseas life, there were notable griefs and clarifying, memorable triumphs. Here, thoughts from my first Christmas season in Africa (edited from the original post on MomLifeToday.com).
#BestoftheBestFriday: Mind of a Hindu; Orphan Care; Modernizing Dictators; Social Justice & Evangelism
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Just in Time for Diwali: Understanding A Hindu Mind
Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, is November 6-10 (interested in praying during this festival? Click here for a free guide!). Indian neuroscientist Sai Anand communicates about God’s ingenius design of the human body, using it to share the Gospel. He’s written a fascinating article about his time as a Hindu, and how to share Jesus with the Hindustan population.
Are we really serving orphans well?
#BestoftheBestFriday: Prosperity Gospel in Africa; Animism 101; Diwali Prayer Guide; Medical Missions History
Reading Time: 2 minutes
It’s that time again, y’all–where we corral good stuff from around the world that matters for your journey over there. But we’re not just spewing it out there: We want your dialogue. Check ’em out–and give us some thoughts.
the frightening effects of the Prosperity Gospel in Nigeria
If you’re headed to Africa, here’s a must-read. After my own [Janel’s] time in Africa, I was amazed at how the prosperity gospel was often furthering poverty and hindering the genuine growth of the Church. As Lindsay Steele reports, “As people have become desperate to rise out of poverty, many have looked to churches and seen their ticket to prosperity….This shift in focus is not only affecting believers and the Church, but it’s tainting opportunities for ministry to others, specifically to Muslims.” Read more here.
Unreached People Group Focus: Japanese
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Color me surprised: Until this year, I had no idea Japan was the second-largest (only to Bangladesh) unreached people group in the world. It’s the largest unreached nation open to missionaries.
What keeps Japan from being reached?
Our God is indescribably capable of surmounting any obstacles. But what could be the presenting barriers?
He Said/She Said/You Say? “Should I Go Overseas with an Organization?”
Reading Time: 7 minutes
Part II: The “NOPE” Side of the Argument (and what not to do either way)
Missed Part I, the “yep” side? Grab it here.
Going overseas independently has its benefits–like autonomy, neutrality from agencies’ agendas, and flexibility. What do you need to know if you’re thinking in this direction? Don’t miss these important thoughts. I chose to go the independent route because I felt that I already had (or was able to find) all of the services of a missions agency from other sources at a fraction of the cost. But there are several advantages for being associated with a missions agency, including the following: