We can tell a lot about each other by looking at our autocompletes. For instance, start typing “I can’t find my” into a text message and see what it thinks will come next. For me, it’s “keys,” “wallet,” and “phone.” That’s pretty insightful: I have a car, I’m a guy, and I’m absent-minded enough to have my … Continue reading Moving Abroad Can Sure Mess with Your Autocomplete
This post originally appeared on The Culture Blend.com “I AM NOT A RACIST!” The Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan Donald Trump Bill Clinton Malcolm X (and practically everyone who has ever been accused of racism) This post is hard for me. Here’s why. I’m not that kind of blogger. I’m not an … Continue reading I Am Not A Racist — and other things I wish I knew were true
I felt my face grow hot. I was in a small town shopping at a smaller store when a well-meaning woman stopped and asked me about the purse I had with me. “That’s a beautiful purse” she said brightly. “May I ask you where you got it?” “Oh” I said, a smile lighting up my … Continue reading “So – Is that out of state?” And Other Questions We Navigate
by Lauren Wells It is important for parents raising children anywhere to be continually engaging and checking in with their kids. When you are raising TCKs, this is even more important. TCKs are privy to struggles that mono-cultural children don’t often have to face, so being aware of that and taking time to routinely ask … Continue reading 10 Questions to Routinely Ask Your TCKs
By Lauren Wells The topic of TCKs and grief is one that circulates often on online forums about TCKS, and there is a good reason for this: we know that TCKs deal with a significant amount of loss. In fact, they experience more losses in their first 18 years than most mono-cultural adults do in … Continue reading 7 Ways to Teach Your TCKs to Process Grief
(this is a repost from Djibouti Jones) Myth 1: Adventure I’m an expatriate! Cue the Indiana Jones soundtrack, give me a whip and a cool hat, and let’s have an adventure! Okay my husband does have an Indiana Jones hat and I have used an Ethiopian whip, but life as an expatriate is not all … Continue reading 6.5 Myths About Expat Life
By Lauren Wells When you become a parent, you quickly realize that there are a plethora of strong opinions about just about anything regarding the rearing of your children. When you are parenting TCKs, the voices are even louder. TCKs often have unique challenges that make parenting far from straightforward, and this is particularly true … Continue reading Should TCKs Take Their Parents to College?
Humanitarian, governmental, and religious organizations sending people abroad don’t always have the best interest of their internationally-located staff in mind. They think they do. They hope they do. Even (I think) many of them try to. But they are organizations, based back in the United States. They are staffed by people who have no idea … Continue reading Fight For Your Family
A Life Overseas is not a policy-making institution, but rather a support system for missionaries and Christians living overseas. My experiences and opinions are my own, and I am solely responsible for them. I am not speaking for other writers or editors. Due to the controversial nature of this topic, comments will be moderator-approved … Continue reading Ask a Counselor: My child is LGBTQ. What should I do?
Imagine what it would look like if western churches hired their staff with the same priorities that they choose overseas missionaries to financially support. First of all, a Children’s Pastor would definitely be out. Not strategic enough; he’s only supporting the children of believers. Youth Pastor? Also out, unless he targets neighborhood kids. How about a Music Pastor? … Continue reading In Defense of Second-Class Missionaries
My day job here in Cambodia is serving as a pastoral counselor. In a typical week, I meet with clients from Asia, the Americas, Australia, Europe, and occasionally Africa. And whether these clients are missionaries, NGO workers, or international business people, they’re all trying to figure out how to live well here. In Cambodia. I … Continue reading Living Well Abroad: 4 Areas to Consider
I sometimes catch myself using finger quotes when I say the word “home.” You too? I’m writing this on an airplane and am currently 3 hours and 8 minutes away from “home”. Simultaneously and ironically I am also 9 hours and 4 minutes away from “home.” I’m in that weird spot that expats love and … Continue reading Going Home
