Someone alleges abuse. Someone in power rushes to hush or silence the accuser, sometimes even using Scriptures or “biblical principles” as the gag. And it’s so wrong. It’s poison, offered as cure, both to the victim and those close by. But there’s an idea I’ve been developing that just might be an antidote. At least […]
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A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from a young teacher at a missionary-run school. She was hearing from local children attending the school about abuse they were suffering by their parents at home. One of the older children had written detailed reports of the abuse, and even had photographic evidence. When […]
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Today’s post has been submitted anonymously as a follow up to a piece published here, at A Life Overseas, in 2013. Today we hear from the daughter of ‘Jessica’ that wrote that article in 2013. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Koman ou di?” – translation – “How do you say?” That is how it all started. As an eleven-year-old […]
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After last month’s column addressing the question of domestic violence, a reader asked these questions in the comments section: How much abuse is too much abuse? How much abuse constitutes grounds for divorce? My quick answer was: ANY abuse is too much abuse, and ANY abuse constitutes grounds for divorce. The reasons I think this? […]
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The instant message to her friend said, “I hate them. They don’t know anything about me.” Four years earlier we had landed on foreign soil. The flight that carried us, and our 100 pounds each of luggage, was just short enough to cry the entire way. We felt strongly we were on the right path, […]
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by Nicolette A common caption for pictures on my Instagram feed is something along the lines of “she’s living her best life” accompanied by an adorable shot of a toddler cuddling her puppy or a little boy with an infectious grin covered head to toe in mud. Sometimes I can just smile at the cuteness, […]
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“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” ~ Jesus Thieves steal. Sometimes the impact is NOW; you know it immediately and you feel it deeply. Other times, it takes some time; the bomb’s on a delay. And then it […]
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To the women and girls of New Tribes Mission* Lord, we repent for the sins against children. We repent for having ears that were deaf and eyes that were blind. We repent for the loss of innocence and beauty – things that were stolen from children molested in the dark of night. We weep for […]
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by Stacey Hare The day began by watching my deceased neighbor be buried in his front yard. The day ended by watching another neighbor beat a little boy violently. Death and violence are a part of everyday life here in the village. There is a part of me that asks the question: Is it ever […]
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by Lauren Wells The life of a Third Culture Kid is not a simple one. Wonderful, enriching, colorful, and filled with incredible life-altering experiences, absolutely. But certainly not neat and tidy, or without its share of troubles. We moved to Tanzania when I was 13 years old. The first two years of life in Africa […]
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(I wrote this a long time ago but never hit “publish.” Two of my three kids are now adults, which slightly changes my personal context. But, the essay still stands, a little encouragement for expats as we face life in sometimes challenging locations.) “You’re Much More Likely to Be Killed By Brain-Eating Parasites, Texting While […]
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Last month, I wrote about the natural process of individual growth. Our individual problems surface over time throughout our lives, and when they surface, it’s not a cause for alarm or self-shaming. When our problems surface, we are simply facing an opportunity for growth. We might even come to be grateful for those chances to […]
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