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
My husband and I have literally raised (more accurately, are still raising) our family “internationally.” I’m typing as we drive through the night, returning our third to the States. She graduated last week and now is beginning a gap year where she will work and earn money for college. She’s pretty sure she wants to be a … Continue reading Searching for a better way
Dear Graduating Senior, This spring I hugged you. I cried with you. I said goodbye to you. And then I looked into the faces of your parents as they said goodbye too. How can I express the depth of my love for you and your parents? I don’t know. All I know is that if … Continue reading 7 Thoughts for Graduating TCKs
Before you move abroad there are orientation meetings and cross cultural trainings and seminars and books to read and lists to check off and personality tests to pass and character examinations. When you decide it is time to repatriate back to the ‘home country’ there are debriefs and readjustment seminars and repatriating coaches and Third … Continue reading 8 Ways for Expats Who Stay to Stay Well
Note: This was written a year and a half ago, but still holds true for today. My Grandma Jeanne died last week. Death sucks. Or, in the gentler words of my wise (and gentler) friend Sue, “I hate death.” Even if she was in her upper 80’s and, as Lucy says, “That’s what happens to … Continue reading When Someone You Love Dies, and You are Far, Far Away
As a kid, I vaguely remember watching a movie called Across the Great Divide. I don’t remember a ton of details – essentially two orphan kids have to get across the Rocky Mountains and to the West Coast to get their inheritance. In the process, they meet up with… and end up partnering with… a … Continue reading Across the Great Divide
Newsletters. Prayer updates. Itinerations. Reports. Furloughs. Presentations. Are you stressed out yet? For most of us, living and serving abroad means communicating back to senders. A lot. But this isn’t what we went to school for, and besides that, communicating in person or in print is scary. It’s exposing. It’s like learning a new culture … Continue reading How to Communicate so People Will Care
The last four months we’ve been exploring the ideas in Timothy Sanford’s book “I Have to be Perfect” (and other Parsonage Heresies). Here are the first four posts if you need a refresher: The Little Word that Frees Us “I’m Not Supposed to Have Needs” “I Can’t Trust Anyone” “God is Disappointed in Me” Today we’ll … Continue reading A Conversation With Timothy Sanford, Author of “I Have to be Perfect”
