April 2, 2010
It all began with Isaiah 7:9b, “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” (NIV) This verse kept sticking in my mind. In the Message Translation it reads, “If you don’t take your stand in faith, you won’t have a leg to stand on.”
So what does this have to do with cross cultural workers? Everything! Our faith is tested frequently as we live in cultures not our own. Our reasons for what we say and how we act are questioned. Attacks to our faith come from within and without. And we often don’t have the support we came to rely on in our home country.Two people and their difficulties with faith have challenged my stand in faith.
Continue reading 'Stand Firm in Faith'»
March 11, 2010
Have you thought about your brain lately? As I learn more about the brain, I am awed by its amazing ability to learn and its flexibility. Since most PWs live and work in a host culture, our ability to adapt is vital. Lose that and you lose your effectiveness. Thankfully, God has fashioned us with the capacity to adapt right from our conception.
Continue reading 'The Flexible Brain–key to cultural adaptability'»
January 30, 2010
Everyone needs to feel they belong. As we all know, moving from our home culture and living in another can make it hard for our kids to know where home is. It takes some planning and effort to give our Third Culture Kids(TCKs) a sense of belonging. If you are raising your kids on the field now, these tips will be especially helpful. If you have friends raising TCKs, you can be ready to lend a hand in helping them grow strong roots in a foreign land.
Our article this month was written by Ruth Van Reken. Ruth shares from her own experience as a second generation MK and as a mother to three MKs. Her writing on this subject was included in Global Mission Handbook by Steve Hoke and Bill Taylor. Continue reading 'Strong Roots in Foreign Soil'»
December 30, 2009
I woke this morning in a grumpy mood. My husband had planned a meeting with a local pastor around lunch time. She asked if we could meet at our house and then suggested the menu for lunch. I knew that now it was not just the two to three hours she would be there to talk, but also the preparation time for the meal. My attitude was not very charitable.
After starting the meal, I came to my office to see if there was anything already in print that I could use for Peter’s Wife this month. I am recovering from a two week bout of flu that put me way behind on my preparations. I picked up Sue Eenigenburg’s book, Screams in the Desert. It is a book of stories and devotions about living cross culturally. I leafed through the book and was intrigued by the title, I Gave God My Life, But Not My Toothbrush. After reading the chapter, laughing and groaning, I had to change my attitude about our lunch appointment. Actually, it was the best time we have had with this sister.
Blessings!
Diane
Continue reading 'Not My Toothbrush'»
November 18, 2009
Ah, we are nearing the end of November. The trees have dropped their leaves. The days are getting shorter and crisper. Time to get a turkey and find all the makings of an American Thanksgiving Feast. Ooops, we’re not in Kansas anymore!
So how do we have Thanksgiving in a hot, sunny, always green place? Can it be Thanksgiving without the turkey, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole? Of course it can! But it will be different.
Continue reading 'Thanksgiving'»
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