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Everyone we talked to said it was normal, but we felt that something wasn't right.

We often talk about the struggle missionary kids have following their parents’ calling, but how do parents respond to their calling when their kids aren’t thriving on the field? Today on the Pod, I talk to a guy who had to make some hard decisions when he and his wife found out their oldest son had autism.

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Timeline 
00:00 Intro 01:00 Getting called to missions 06:46 Being effective in the culture 09:45 Expectations on the field  12:30 The dangers of people pleasing 16:00 The stress on marriage 20:45 Having young children on the field 24:38 Ministering as a couple 28:20 The need for community 31:05 Autism diagnosis 40:37 Hard decisions 

"May the Lamb who is slain receive the reward of his suffering."

Today on the Pod, we get a healthy reminder of God's sovereignty over all things for the joy of all people. My guest is both clear and gentle and proactive and pastoral. He has ministry experience in both the 1-/40 Window and in one of the most secular countries in the world.   

Find links and resources mentioned in today's episode at pmpod.org 

Timeline 
00:00 Intro 01:00 Getting Kicked out 09:21 From overseas to cross-culture back home12:16 Why is the church collapsing in the West? 15:40 Raising Children in the West 18:56 Why is family worship so hard? 22:15 Technology and raising kids 27:35 Discipleship 31:40 Healthy signs of spiritual growth 35:00 Six Characteristics for church leaders 36:26 Pitfalls in Discipleship41:08 Biblical Counseling 45:42 The sovereignty of God brings comfort50:28 The sovereignty of God for cross-cultural workers

Life itself takes more time on the field.

Today on the Pod, I have a very real conversation with a cross-cultural worker who has spent the last 15 years ministering and raising his family overseas. Expect to learn some basics about Orthodox Christianity, some tips on helping people with physical needs, what some of the signs of spiritual maturity are, the toll missions takes on marriages, the value of spiritual retreats, the importance of mentors, the power of learning the local language well, avoiding the comparison trip, and much more.

Find out more at Pmpod.org

Timeline 
00:00 Intro 01:00 Orthodox Christianity 7:42 Dealing with the physical needs of the people 12:42 Signs of spiritual maturity 16:00 The toll missions takes on marriage 24:15 Spiritual retreats 26:03 Family rhythms of rest 30:10 Raising third-culture kids 36:20 The Value of learning the language 42:45 The comparison trap53:35 Advice to the weary worker 

The message of the Gospel is for all those who are weary and carrying heavy burdens to come to Jesus and find rest. Today on the Pod, my guest shared how she was able to let go of her feelings of failure and not being good enough and cling to God and who he is for her. My guest also shared with me about her own inability to have children and how difficult that was.

"It takes a lot of courage to be honest with yourself about what’s happening in your life."

To find out more, go to PMPod.org

Timeline 
00:00 Intro 01:00 Figure out if missions for me04:10 The first two years in the Middle East 07:45 Being a single woman in the Arab World 10:42 The support of families on the field 12:55 Re-entry and transition 17:00 From cross-cultural to home office19:00 Getting married and moving back to the field 21:50 Feeling like a failure on the field 25:30 Feeling like you’re not enough 33:00 Dealing with anxiety 40:00 Dealing with the inability to have children 

Today on the Pod, I talk to a guy who first left for the Middle East back in 1972! No matter where he was in the world, the Middle East was always in his heart. In today's Pod, expect to learn about the power of prayer, the value of short-term trips, the importance of languages, dealing with new believers, the strengths and weaknesses of DBS, the importance of knowing Islam, and the importance of knowing the Bible.

"My heart is to get across the deity of Christ in a way that Muslims can understand it."


Find out more at Pmpod.org

Timeline 
00:00 Intro 01:00 Impacted by prayer and need 05:25 Spain in the 70s07:12 The Arab World in the 70s 11:55 A passion for languages 15:10 Helpful translations in Arabic 19:12 The values for workers to know the Bible in the local language 22:18 Teaching English on the field 27:00 Moving back to the field after 17 years 32:50 Discipleship issues 35:12 Strengths and weakness of DBS 38:45 The value of knowing Islam 42:15 The value of knowing the Bible 

Today on the Pod, I talk to my guys from episode #45 Spiritual Abuse , and see where God has taken her life over the last three rollercoaster years. Expect to learn about trusting God through difficulties, finding new approaches after change, the blessings and challenges of living alone, what resilience is, the role others play in our decisions, starting over, re-entering into the Middle East, the pyramid of care, and the impact of the story of Joseph. 

Get more access at Pmpod.org 

Timeline 
00:00 Into01:00 Recap from last time04:55 The ability to not doubt God06:30 Understanding where God is during difficulties08:30 New approaches to communication12:22 Living alone13:08 Experiencing loneliness17:20 Resilience21:10 The role others play24:10 Starting the process again26:25 Choosing a new org31:15 Getting back to the Middle East36:00 What is different this time?38:45 The pyramid of care43:00 The story of Joseph