Advent 2024: Prepare Him Room
“Joy to the World, the Lord has come Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing…” Joy to the World, written by Isaac Watts, 1719 The door to our guest bedroom is shut tight until I make time to get it ready for our holiday guest flying [&hell
Healthy Relationships on the Field
Relationships where we are fully seen and known are probably the biggest stressor and biggest blessing in our lives overseas, aren’t they? They don’t come easy. Perhaps it feels as though nothing comes easily as we restart our lives in new places that are so different from our home
SUPPORTING TCKs: A List of Resources
We’re entering a fresh school year, and even if you’re not a parent yourself, you likely have kids on your team or in your circle of influence who are navigating new schools, new classmates, new languages, new extra-curricular activities in new places… The start to a new school yea
Learning to Grieve Intentionally
by Amber Goodloe, LPC Sorrow took up permanent residence in my soul and enlarged it ~ Jerry Sittser I first came across this quote from “A Grace Disguised” by Jerry Sittser a couple years ago while on my own journey of grief and simultaneously finding myself being surrounded by clients dealing w
Transitions Part 2
Last month, we began our 2-part series on transitions as a cross-cultural worker by talking through the major different international moves workers face in their journey abroad. From the first move overseas, planned or unplanned moves on the field, to repatriating at the end of your journey overseas
Transitions Part 1
by Lisa Green, Executive Director, LPC- LMHC I wonder, what happens in your mind and body if you were to think: “I have to move.” (as in move house/country). Does that feel exciting? Do you get a pit in your stomach? A cringe, or shiver of longing? A mix of both? Transition is ubiquitous for [&h
I Feel Stuck: Dealing with Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors that Bother Me Too Much
by Tim Hibma, MSW, Associate Counselor We all have times when we notice thoughts and emotions and have no idea where they came from. We are made up of memories. Most of our memories are stored in our brains, but they are not available to our conscious mind. Our unconscious mind operates continuously
Disconnected Callings: When one is Sent and the other Follows
by Susan Butler, LMFT, LPC, LMHC In a perfect world a couple makes a decision to “go” together. Both have a strong sense of calling, are equally committed to make the move, and desire to provide significant live-giving services. But unfortunately, none of us live in a perfect worl
Getting Serious About Change This Lent
by Amber Nicole and Amber Goodloe, LPC “Over time, our hearts and souls, when left unattended, get messy. Lent invites us to deal with the mess. This is not about quickly cleaning things up and pretending they were never there, nor is it about ignoring the mess. Lent invites us to roll up our slee
Book Recommendations
RECOMMENDED READS TO HELP YOU THRIVE AS A CROSS-CULTURAL WORKER: There’s no doubt that life as a cross-cultural worker carries unique weight. You’ve taken a leap out into the unknown, and that comes at a cost. There’s grand adventures, and deep loneliness in the constant changes you face