How To Do A Marriage “Desires Exercise”

How To Do A Marriage “Desires Exercise”

The desires and needs of husbands and wives are often quite different. Learning to value one another’s marriage desires is necessary for maintaining a healthy marriage. Doing a marriage desires exercise can help.

Finding the Hidden Treasures of Transition

Finding the Hidden Treasures of Transition

It’s been said that the only constant in the life of a missionary is constant change. Transition. Probably true for most people, not only missionaries though we do have a higher degree of change to deal with. It begs the question – how do we approach our continual transitions with grace? We need to look for the hidden treasures of our transition seasons.

3 Principles for Embracing Hope in the New Year

3 Principles for Embracing Hope in the New Year

When we have been disappointed, it is not easy to let ourselves risk again. So often, our past experiences dictate our willingness to hope for something different in the New Year. Being “realistic” leaves God out of the picture. It puts the God of the impossible on the shelf, the God who loves you and is able to do what you can not do. Take a risk and hope again.

Missionary Depression – A Helpful Tool to Overcome

Missionary Depression – A Helpful Tool to Overcome

“Suck it up!” My basketball coach used to tell me that when I was acting tired during our practice drills. “No pain, no gain!” In many ways, we are taught to ignore pain and push through it. I’m not saying there isn’t a place for 

Do Differences in Your Team Threaten to Destroy Unity?

Do Differences in Your Team Threaten to Destroy Unity?

Have you ever lost your temper? Gotten upset with fellow team members? Differences in personality, culture, and spiritual gifting can drive us apart. Or, these differences can make us strong and effective as a missionary team. My husband and I are extreme opposites in many 

When Disappointment Makes a Heart Feel Sick

When Disappointment Makes a Heart Feel Sick

Before I went into missions I had a grand desire to do something meaningful with my life. I think most of us long for something like that. Our search for meaning and purpose can leave us feeling disappointed with God or ourselves. Disappointment in how 

Missionary Homelessness- When No Place Feels Like Home

Missionary Homelessness- When No Place Feels Like Home

Though I was born in Nigeria, my passport says I am an American. I love my country. But I have never felt like a “real” American. Preparing for a trip back to the USA, someone asked me, “Are you going home next week?” That is 

Do You Need to Have a “Crucial Conversation” With a Team Member?

Do You Need to Have a “Crucial Conversation” With a Team Member?

Paul Akin, of the Gospel Coalition, writes this. “The most common reason missionaries go home isn’t due to lack of money, illness, terrorism, homesickness, or even a lack of fruit or response to the gospel. Regretfully, the number one reason is a conflict with other 

A Lament In Time of Crisis

A Lament In Time of Crisis

I was reading through an old journal as I worked on a book I hope to publish one day. I came across this poem. It was written when we were trying to purchase land in India for a widow’s home.  Things had been tough.  The 

When Grief and Suffering Transform and Bring Life

When Grief and Suffering Transform and Bring Life

Sometimes our greatest transformation comes out of the moments of our deepest grief. Recently, YWAM around the world was rocked by the tragic news that eight key leaders were killed in a horrible bus accident. Our hearts go out to the families and staff who