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May 16, 2011

Peter’s Wife reaches out by monthly emails and this web site to women living and working cross culturally. Living outside our own culture is stressful. Keeping a home, helping our husbands, and raising kids can be very difficult without the usual support systems of home. Peter’s Wife is written by and for those who have given up the comforts and normality of ‘home’ to serve people in a different culture.

Whether you are currently in a cross cultural situation, have friends or co-workers who are, or just want to know what we face, take some time to look at our archive of previously sent emails. If you would like to receive Peter’s Wife by email, you may request it by emailing editor@peterswife.org

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May 3, 2012

In May we honor mothers, but many of us living outside our home culture miss the usual Mother’s Day celebrations. That’s a perfect opportunity for homesickness and self pity.

One year we were on a short-term trip to Malaysia. We stayed in the college dormitory and taught courses. As Mother’s Day approached I was feeling a little sorry for myself. Though my sons usually don’t do a great deal for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, they always remembered the day in some special way. Here I was half a world away from them, and might not even be able to arrange a phone call on the day.

Continue reading 'Mom in a Foreign Land'»

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March 23, 2012

This month I rediscovered a book on my shelf,  Re-Entry by Peter Jordan. Ten years ago I wrote an article on Re-Entry dealing with the stages in the process of re-entry to your home culture. This article has more to do with the changes that have occurred during overseas service and how that effects returning home.

Peter Jordan writes, “Things have not been stagnant during your time away. It is imperative before you leave the mission field to take time to properly assess how much you have changed, and how much things have changed back home.

Continue reading 'Re-Entry- Changes You Will Face'»

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February 29, 2012

How do you think your supporters would react if you told them in your next newsletter that you have a pool in your back yard? Or what about taking a week’s working holiday at a tropical resort? Or that you have to pay school fees of twice their house payment for your children to attend an English language school? You really must consider their reaction.

Some of you have supporters who have come to visit you and know how you live, but most of you don’t. How do your parents or supporters, or even your sending organization think you live?

Continue reading 'Should We Tell Them About the Pool?'»

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February 17, 2012

Breathe Retreat is a ten-day retreat for Cross-Cultural workers to be held in Switzerland from June 20-30, 2012.

Now it time to sign up for this chance for renewal and encouragement for singles, couples, and families who serve cross culturally. Dr. Daniel and Lori Hahn of Catalyst Int’l, along with professionals in member care provide counseling, medical consultation, massage therapy and fun programs for preschoolers to teens.

For more information: Breathe

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January 25, 2012

Migrant. Do you consider yourself a migrant? In the narrow UN definition, most of us would not qualify since we are not employed by our adopted country. But in the broader sense of living either temporarily or permanently in a country where we were not born, and having acquired some significant social ties to this county, most of us would qualify. Like the Bible says, we are strangers and aliens in the land of promise.

There are many helpful suggestions for migrants that we may not have taken personally. Whether we are long-time migrants in the country we serve or have just arrived, some common migrant thoughts can trip us up. Here are a few for you to consider:

Comparisons between our native country and our adopted country
Comparisons can be a slippery slope to the blues. Our comparisons may make our native country, with all its perks, seem all good. Then the reverse is true of our adopted country. In this skewed condition, our host country is all bad.

We can start down this slide when the day is exceptionally hot and humid, or when we cannot find our favorite comfort food. Say you live in a place where you cannot get good chocolate, and the stash you brought is depleted. And, its been raining for four days straight.  If we don’t head it off quickly, we could be in the dungeon of despair by lunchtime. Continue reading 'Migrants'»