The Annual Farewell Potluck
Later this month, my international church will host its annual Farewell Potluck. As described in the name, church members bring dishes to share as we acknowledge the folks who are leaving Egypt and moving onward to the next place that God has prepared. I claim it as an occasion worthy of baking some cookies with […]
Worth It
“Is it worth it?” The question seems to climb out of her unbidden. In the pause between asking and answering, she looks at me with pleading eyes, vulnerable and uncertain. We’ve been working together to care for a family who have recently, abruptly, returned from the field. Their needs are great, their disorientation and grief […]
The Years Take a Toll
I have long been inspired by the story of Ann Judson, the first wife of Adoniram Judson. Even as a teenager, I was struck by Ann’s heart for those who had not yet heard the gospel, especially for women who had little to no chance of ever hearing. Among other things, God used the story […]
Birthing the Magnificat
A few weeks into our marriage, my husband and I left our home country for a tiny village in rural Zambia. I was set: I had devoured the stories of faithful men and women who followed God into hard places and saw him work in remarkable ways. Naturally, I assumed that choosing to live in […]
Until the Very Last Line
A few weeks ago, my family attempted to enjoy a weekend at our favorite getaway alongside the Nile. I was hoping it would be a soothing balm after a chaotic few months, but, instead, my husband celebrated his fortieth birthday with another bout of malaria. I had previously arranged for a bookbinding workshop for my […]
This Month’s Theme: The Cost
The costs of a global life can be complicated to name. There are the obvious costs—financial strain, shifting exchange rates, rising airfare, unstable economies, unexpected visa changes, regulations we cannot control but must respond to. Decisions made in distant offices ripple into our daily lives. Plans unravel. Budgets stretch thin. Paperwork multiplies. There are quieter […]