Work–Cross Culturally

Be Blessed

I sat staring at a blank computer screen. No topic for Peter’s Wife presented itself to me. Then I began to think about those who receive this newsletter: those I personally know, and the many I have not met. But whether we know one another personally or not, if you are a PW I do know somethings about you.

I think about the sacrifices you have made to be where you are. You may not feel it is a sacrifice, but rather a privilege. But whether you feel like it is a sacrifice or not, you will have your reward for making the choices that led you to the place you serve today.

[Read more…]

Sacrifices

2 Comments

“Thank you for coming; you’ve sacrificed so much to be here,” a sweet-faced, old Chinese woman said to me. Thoughts scurried through my mind: “It isn’t hard here. I don’t have to live in the bush with hot and cold running snakes. I didn’t have to learn another language. I haven’t sacrificed at all!” But with a smile, I answered her, “I’m happy I can be here.” And I truly am!

Jesus promises blessing for those who follow him to new homes outside their cultures: “Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land–whatever–because of me and the Message will lose out. They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land–but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life!” (Mark 10:29-30 MSG)

[Read more…]

Need Refreshing?

Leave a Comment

Is rest and refreshing wrong?
I hear most of you say, “Of course not!” Yet in practice we sometimes act as though rest and refreshing are sins for PWs.

We arrive on the field full of zeal for the work and buoyed by the sense of our calling. During months of adjusting to the climate, setting up our home, learning the language, and taking on our new responsibilities, the gloss of sacrifice begins to tarnish. Real exhaustion sets in. We feel tired and guilty for it.

We feel guilty if we sleep-in one morning or sneak off for a catnap in the middle of the day. We become irritable, but try with super human determination not to let it slip out. We compare what we are doing to what others seem to accomplish in a day. Depression or condemnation steals our joy.

Sometimes older PWs allow the daily routine or constant interruptions to numb their need for rest. Being so used to doing it all they don’t think anyone should need additional rest. The result is judgment of those needing rest as “weak.”

[Read more…]

Remember Why You are Here

Leave a Comment

Home for the holidays. That is every PWs dream. At this stage in our lives Mike and I get to do it every year. We always visit our family, parents, friends, and supporters. Almost everywhere someone asks, “Are you really happy in Asia? Are you OK there? How can you leave your grandson? When your granddaughter arrives in April, won’t that make it harder?”

I have a ready answer. It is not hard for us to live in Asia. We love the people, the country is peaceful, the food is great, and we have work to do that we enjoy. It is the truth! I am happy there, and I know that is right where God wants us, at least for now.

In less than two weeks we will be back in Asia. I know there will be good days and bad. There may even be seasons when I wonder what possible good am I doing there. On the good days and especially on the bad days, I need to remember why I am there.

[Read more…]

Do You Hesitate?

Leave a Comment

I’ve been pondering the lessons for PWs from the story of Lot’s wife. We don’t know much about her life or what made her tick. We do know, however, that when she had a chance to flee from the destruction of a very wicked town, she had to be dragged out of town by an angel. When told to run for her life and not look back, she stopped and looked back.

Two questions stood out to me from the story of Lot’s wife. Has there ever been a time when you hesitated to do something you knew God wanted you to do? Do you look back with longing to something in the past?

[Read more…]