John Chau & Missions Martyrdom: What have we learned?

November 27, 2018September 25, 20247 Comments

Reading Time: 5 minutes

I confess I was finishing up my Christmas list in a perfect fashion for a busy mom in a little mountain town: online only on Black Friday, while my kids shouted around the house. But when I went to check my email account, it was a headline that caused my heart to fall: A 26-year-old missionary from Vancouver, Washington, John Allen Chau, killed by bow and arrow on India’s Andaman islands in the Bay of Bengal.

“I hollered, ‘My name is John, I love you and Jesus loves you’…You guys might think I’m crazy and all this, but I think it is worth it to declare Jesus to these people,” Chau wrote in his journal of his previous attempts, the UK Mirror and ABC News report. In one of his first attempts, one of the native children shot at Mr. Chau’s heart. The arrow skewered his waterproof Bible there instead.

Why to Consider Counseling Before You Head Overseas

November 23, 2018September 25, 20241 Comment

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Did you know Amazon sold 300,000 InstaPots on Prime Day this year?

True story. Maybe it feels like everyone you know has one.

If you don’t have one, maybe you wonder what the big deal is. Well, pressure cookers 101 will tell you that under high pressure, things cook a lot faster. Flavors within intensify. read more

Unreached People Group Focus: Han Chinese, Xiang people

November 19, 2018April 8, 20245 Comments

Reading Time: 4 minutes

It’s like a weird party trick. What’s the world’s largest ethnic group, 18% of the global population, and contains the second-largest unreached people group in the world?

The Han Chinese.

They’re about 92% of the Chinese population, and 95% of the population of Taiwan. read more

My Story: Just Another Post About Death

November 13, 2018April 30, 2024Leave a comment

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Since 2015, Samantha Johnson has been part of a team with Africa Inland Mission among the Digo people of coastal Kenya, which are about 0.1% Christian. Since arriving, she and the team have been studying language and culture, as well as establishing relationships within the community in hopes of being able to speak Jesus’ Good News to the soul-needs of the Digo. For Samantha, this often looks like house visits, spending time with mamas, drinking chai with the locals, holding their babies, and taking part in village life.

As a kid, I remember begging my mom not to make me go to funerals—even of great aunts and family friends. Death and dead bodies?

NOPE.

“I Should Have the Gift of Evangelism” and 5 Other Missions Myths Debunked

November 9, 2018March 4, 20194 Comments

Reading Time: 7 minutes

MYTH: Don’t go unless you plan to stay for life.

Maybe you were corn-fed on stories of missionaries who brought their coffins with them, or like Amy Carmichael, said goodbye to their families and homelands for life. Now, we’re pretty sure you’re familiar with FaceTime, Kayak, Marco Polo, and all sorts of amenities shrinking your distance around the world. Your folks and friends may well come to visit you, and your parents won’t be kissing grandbabies goodbye for life.

This ain’t your mama’s mission field.

HE SAID/SHE SAID. YOU SAY? “WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU WENT?” PART II

November 6, 2018November 8, 2018Leave a comment

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Missed Part I? Grab it here!

“I wish I’d known how hard it really is.”

I would have gotten more cross-cultural training, especially focused on the culture to which I was going. I would have taken more time in language learning. But most of all, I needed realistic expectations.

Working in a foreign field is the same as being in a war. I know: I’ve fought in both. And the similarities are striking.

There is not much glorious about warfare. It may look exciting on TV or in the movies, but in the trenches it’s a lot of hard work. And the enemy has ambushes everywhere. Often you can’t tell the enemy from the friendly. And your friends get injured and killed. It hurts. read more

#BestoftheBestFriday: Mind of a Hindu; Orphan Care; Modernizing Dictators; Social Justice & Evangelism

November 2, 2018November 5, 2018Leave a comment

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Just in Time for Diwali: Understanding A Hindu Mind

Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, is November 6-10 (interested in praying during this festival? Click here for a free guide!). Indian neuroscientist Sai Anand communicates about God’s ingenius design of the human body, using it to share the Gospel. He’s written a fascinating article about his time as a Hindu, and how to share Jesus with the Hindustan population.

Are we really serving orphans well?

Raising Support: The Fear of Rejection

October 26, 2018August 29, 20224 Comments

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Go. Serve. Love is giddy to welcome back Jenn Fortner, blogger at Financial Partner Development. She’s helped over 300 people get fully-funded for the ministries they’re passionate about. We’re lovin’ her expertise and doable tips.

A subject that comes up regularly in the hearts and minds of ministry workers raising their finances is that of rejection. Eeew. I know, I’m going there. We are talking about it…

Facing rejection can be daunting to even think about in the context of raising funds. Will I damage the relationship? Will they say no? Will I be awkward? Will they be awkward? Will they answer the phone? Are they screening my phone calls? Do they not like me now that I’ve asked them for an appointment? Am I annoying? Did I ask for too much? If I call them and ask to get their commitment in what will they think? I’ve absolutely had these thoughts myself and have talked with other workers about on a regular basis.

Raising Support: 2 Commandments of Sharing Budget Needs

October 23, 2018October 31, 20211 Comment

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Go. Serve. Love is doing a happy little jig today: We’re welcoming Jenn Fortner, blogger at Financial Partner Development. She’s helped over 300 people get fully-funded for the ministries that make their hearts beat. We’re keen on her expertise and practical advice that gets real.

Two questions I get on a regular basis:

Should I share the specifics of my budget with individuals?

And– read more

#BestoftheBestFriday: Prosperity Gospel in Africa; Animism 101; Diwali Prayer Guide; Medical Missions History

October 19, 2018June 4, 2024Leave a comment

Reading Time: 2 minutes

It’s that time again, y’all–where we corral good stuff from around the world that matters for your journey over there. But we’re not just spewing it out there: We want your dialogue. Check ’em out–and give us some thoughts.

the frightening effects of the Prosperity Gospel in Nigeria

If you’re headed to Africa, here’s a must-read. After my own [Janel’s] time in Africa, I was amazed at how the prosperity gospel was often furthering poverty and hindering the genuine growth of the Church. As Lindsay Steele reports, “As people have become desperate to rise out of poverty, many have looked to churches and seen their ticket to prosperity….This shift in focus is not only affecting believers and the Church, but it’s tainting opportunities for ministry to others, specifically to Muslims.” Read more here. read more

Go. Serve. Love

Go there. Serve Him. Love them – a ministry of sheltering wings

Category: missionary

Why to Consider Counseling Before You Head Overseas

HE SAID/SHE SAID. YOU SAY? “WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU WENT?” PART II

Missed Part I? Grab it here!

“I wish I’d known how hard it really is.”

Raising Support: The Fear of Rejection

Raising Support: 2 Commandments of Sharing Budget Needs

Should I share the specifics of my budget with individuals?