It was an opportunity, there in Uganda where we lived.
She needed a place to stay. We had room. Well, when we weren’t hosting others.
Tag: poverty
Janel’s Story: When Helping Hurts (You)
Reading Time: 4 minutes
The phone connection sounded a bit like Oliver, one of my closest Ugandan friends, was crushing newspapers on the other end. I held the phone an inch from my ear.
But I didn’t miss what made my hand fly to my chest: “Aisha…she passed. It was just too late. Things were already too bad.”
Excellence in Missions: 7 Standards [INFOGRAPHIC]
Reading Time: 2 minutes
We’re all about bringing you tools you can use to truly go there, serve Him, and love them well. So we’ve partnered with Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission to bring you today’s (totally printable) infographic: 7 Standards of Excellence in Missions.
Then why do standards like these matter?
You might feel frustrated, too, by patronizing “help” that actually hurts. Or by work that makes us feel better but makes them worse. Or by global work that continues cycles of poverty. Maybe you’re angered by missions trips cannibalizing local employment, or blind to cultural norms so people are turned off to the Gospel. [su_pullquote align=”right”]Christianity, done well, doesn’t destroy culture. Christianity makes culture come alive–and development, too.[/su_pullquote]
“I Wish Someone Had Told Me”: 5 Things about Missions
Reading Time: 4 minutes
In our efforts at Go. Serve. Love to help you look overseas with eyes wide open, we actually like posting your “wish someone had told me about missions” stories. They help the rest of us, y’know, adjust expectations and avoid our own train wrecks.
Today we’re posting from one of our partners, the all-new Mission App–which allows you to search and apply to 30 agencies with one app, and one application.
#BESTOFTHEBESTFRIDAYS: FREE Mental Health Assessment; 50+ BAM jobs
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Free Mental Health Assessment (this month only!) before you go overseas
Here at Go. Serve. Love, we offer you four free self-assessements–and have encouraged you openly to see a counselor before you head overseas.
The stress as you head overseas is real–and a number of major sending organizations have decided to make a mental health assessment part of their application process. Your mental wellness and resilience have significant implications on the effectiveness of your ministry–and your longevity overseas.
So we’re pretty stinkin’ happy that Godspeed Resources for THIS MONTH ONLY, is offering free initial mental health assessments to global workers who complete an intake form during the month of May. We’re already halfway through the month…so grab an appointment right. Now.
#BESTOFTHEBESTFRIDAYS: Worldwide prayer for Muslims during Ramadan; Shocked by Your Host Culture; Free Bible Software
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Pray with Us for the Muslim World during Ramadan
Ramadan is May 5-June 6 this year. What if you prayed every day of their holiday for the salvation of Muslims around the globe?
During Ramadan, Prayercast can send you an email reminder each day of Ramadan with a brand new video to inspire you to prayer and trust in a God who is revolutionizing the Muslim world!
Each of the 130 new, 4-5 minute videos Prayercast will release is led by a former Muslim who now follows Jesus. These videos are designed to stimulate focused, strategic, passionate prayer in the Church. (Even the header video makes our editor a little teary.)
Meet an Agency: Lahash
Reading Time: 5 minutes
We heart this new, ongoing series–a virtual trip to the coffee shop 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 lavender latte with Lahash.
#BESTOFTHEBESTFRIDAYS: Business as Mission; fundraising bootcamp
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Business as Mission Infographic
The BAM Review has published a pretty sweet summary of need-to-knows for Business as Mission–all in a tidy infographic. And please, click here for 50+ BAM job openings around the world!
Totally into BAM? From their think tank, BAM Global has produced a series of 19 Issue- and Region-focused reports on business as mission.
New Book, Becoming Whole, from the author of When Helping Hurts
Meet an Agency: Africa Inland Mission (AIM)
Reading Time: 5 minutes
We heart this new, ongoing series–a cup o’ joe 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 cold brew coffee with Africa Inland Mission (AIM). Grab a chair.
Meet an Agency: Action International
Reading Time: 6 minutes
We heart this new, ongoing series–a cup of java 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 caramel cappuccino with ACTION International. Grab a chair.