photo credit IMB.org photo library
When we came back to our passport country on home assignment, people were curious.
“If Ugandans speak English, why do you spend so much effort on learning Luganda?”
Category: India
Dry Days, Old Books, & Jesus Trails–Or, Finding My Own Revival
Reading Time: 3 minutes
I picked it up because I was feeling dry.
The well-thumbed copy of Bruchko seemed to call my name from my bookshelves. I slid it from the shelf, must creeping to my nose with the satisfying feeling of an old, delicious story. (Wow, I realized–they left out a lot in the newer version of the book.)
Creative Celebration: Why It Matters Overseas
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Editor’s note: When you’re far from home, celebrations can both intensify and improve that “fish out of water” feeling. Celebrating Thanksgiving overseas might make it feel more like home, richer in the new faces around the table.
Global Missions Trends to Help You Work Smarter: Part 2
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Missed the first post on Global Missions Trends? GRAB IT here.
I don’t know about you, but I do have regrets over some trends in which I was a willing participant.
They include teased bangs. Polka dots. Crispy, overgelled, permed hair. Tight-rolled jeans. White eyeliner.
Missions Trends to Help You Work Smarter: Part 1
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Do you remember your first exposure to global work? At the risk of dating myself, mine involved slideshows, prayer cards for your fridge, and talk about jungles, huts, canoes, and a Peace Child. In third grade, I told Mom I wanted to go to Japan as a missionary.
The great news? Along with our speed-of-light world, missions has changed, too. Missions trends reflect that as a Church, we’re learning from our mistakes (like missions that whiffs of colonialism or cultural appropriation; check out Does Christianity destroy culture?).
What Racial Discrimination Reminds Us about Overseas Missions
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Perhaps, like me, your gut sinks like a stone over the events of the last few weeks–precipitated by issues centuries old, accentuated by the deaths of people named Ahmaud. Breonna. George. In lieu of online services, my husband and I have led “home church” with our kids about racial discrimination. I’ve talked with beleagured police families, with brown friends.
As a person looking overseas, how have you personally responded to a nation exploding in anger and riots? (Here’s a helpful perspective from The Gospel Coalition: “Oh, God, Make Us Angry.”)
Goma’s Story: A Real-Life Cinderella
Reading Time: 4 minutes
www.cvm.org/ equips and encourages veterinary professionals and students to build relationships with others through the use of their veterinary knowledge and skills so that lives are transformed. (Get to know them at their Meet an Agency post here!)
Here, CVM shares a young woman’s story from their field–with a critical lesson for those of us hoping to bring others to the Prince of Peace.
Your Missionary Biographies Weekend Watchlist: Amazon Prime
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Your life might be on lockdown in much of the U.S. due to coronavirus. Could this be the perfect time to press into God’s leading in your life? You can spend extra time digging into his Word and watching documentaries and biographies of global outreach workers that have gone before you.
Watching missionary biographies can be a tremendous source of encouragement—and a wealth of knowledge.
Goodbyes: Managing Your Painful “Lasts”
Reading Time: 5 minutes
I recently spoke with a friend as she prepared for our church’s Fall Festival on October 31. They’re headed to India next year. They sent me the cutest photo of their family dressed up as Batman, Batwoman, and cherubic ittle Bat-kids.
I asked if that night’s festival might be hard. The “lasts”, you see, have begun.
#BestoftheBestFriday: I Wish I’d Known; Africa’s Evangelism Challenges
Reading Time: 2 minutes
We’re back with current need-to-know missions thoughts from around the web.
What I Wish Missions Had Told Me
Remember our posts, What do you wish you’d known before you went? Parts I and II? Some great minds over at A Life Overseas have collaborated for Dear Missions, I Wish You Had Told Me…as well as 7 Questions to Ask during Your First 7 Days on the Field.