No matter where you live on the planet, life has challenges. However, it's a whole other challenge when you leave your home culture to live full-time somewhere else. Many of your rhythms of life are thrown off and the places that you reach for for stabilizing yourself are also gone. For the better part of 2 decades, these are the type of people that Alace and I have been honored to serve alongside.
As a pilot, I've had the opportunity to transport many international workers (IW's)- many who have sat in the co-pilot seat and, during the flight when there was time to chat, they poured out their hearts. They've shared griefs ranging from medical, to organizational, fears about the future, lack of funding, conflicts with other missionaries, misunderstandings with national colleagues, and the list goes on.
A recent study showed that the stressors of life for IW's are on the same level as MILITARY SPECIAL FORCES!
These issues, if left unchecked, can lead to attrition- an earlier than expected departure from the area you were once so thrilled to be called to. Missionaries MUST be proactive and have resources to nurture themselves- regular "pit stops" along the way to check the fluid levels, tire pressure, fuel levels, temperature gages.
For Alace this focus, member care, has been at the heart of her calling. Through our recent sabbatical the Lord has confirmed to us that, as we hit our mid-50's, this will increasingly be increasingly my focus as well. Our current "Missionaries in Residence" at our home church (York Alliance) is a time for us to reflect and pray about how that might look going forward. Please pray with us as we meet with church and organizational leadership to seek God's heart in the details.
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| Our cohort through Sustainable Faith (UK) |
Sensing this stirring in our heart, months back, Alace and I joined in training to become certified spiritual directors. It is a two year process that will in May '26. As you may be aware, we've been pastoral staff previously (Steve is ordained in the C&MA), and we've both done multiple member care courses, such as Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills, Family Debriefing (C&MA), TCK Care webinar, "Godly Resilience" (GRIT) course, and more. We've served in leadership a mission sending as well as board members of a member care org.
Just this past week, we added another significant resource to our equipping- the "
Exchange at the Cross" training through
Le Rucher (France). In member care circles, this is knows as one of the premier courses for missionary debriefing. Alace and I went through a debriefing in 2017 with facilitators trained in Le Rucher, and it was a life-line at that point in our journey. We sense that NOW is the time that we also transition to being providers of life-lines for others. Without exception, each debriefer and missionary retreat provider has told me that they are FULL and have waiting lists from those seeking care. The need is very real.
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| Our Le Rucher trainees and trainers. |
Some of you are wondering, "Steve, will you pilot again?" I am sure that I will, but, for now, I'll be in support of the Gabon aviation program from a distance, through advocacy and mobilization (fancy words for things like recruiting and fund raising). Just last week I started to organize a visit to Gabon of a young family- the father is training as a mechanic and pilot! Also, we are continuing to mentor and coach young Henrica in her journey toward becoming a mechanic and pilot serving in her home country of Gabon for the church aviation department. Just as others have been there in our times of need, we are increasing our focus to be there for other missionaries in their times of need.
Thank you for your support as we continue this journey! We'll send more updates soon. You have supported us through regular times of refreshment, retreat, sabbatical and debriefing that kept us on the field for almost 2 decades and counting! Your generosity and encouragement are still key to our success as we continue on. We are so grateful!
Thank you, dear supporter, for your continued TeamWork!
We continue to be financially supported by people like yourself.
Please consider joining the team in this important task with us.
OPTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE:
DONATE THROUGH THE ALLIANCE (C&MA) (click here)
OR:
PAYPAL THROUGH THINGS ABOVE PROJECT (click below)
