That Missionary Life: Recent Episodes
Rachel Ferguson
For those of us who are back in This American Life, but want to talk about That Missionary Life: stories and hindsight.
What I've learned about immigration from being a missionary. Depending on terms, Missionaries ARE immigrants (or at least migrants). The current political rhetoric around immigrants has horrified me, and really brought out how the church has one rule for missionaries, and other rule for when it is in their own backyard. What are some of your immigration stories? How are you dealing with this disconnect? Any tips for me?
CAN YOU BELIEVE this is episode 50? So glad I figured out how to podcast again after spotify changed my whole system (grumpy mumbling).
We moved into our first home 6 months ago. I'd always seen home ownership as a ball and chain. Instead, its surprised me as roots growing in barren cracks in my soul. I am grateful for this chance, after being gone for so long, to jump with both feet into this #FamilyEra
This is the same episode as I did in June, but the sound quality was bad. Spotify changed how I can do everything, so now I am refiguring it out:)
I ran off to nature and recorded these rambing thoughts about the disconnect between "I am a missionary" and "I am not a missionary anymore" and the truth that both of these statements hold.
A bit different from other episodes, I ran off to nature and recorded these rambling thoughts about the disconnect between “I am a missionary” and “I am not a missionary anymore” and the truth that both of these statements hold.
How have politics been a part of your life as a missionary? Do you talk about politics in your host country? In your passport country? Do you feel a part of either one? Had your perspective on politics changed since serving abroad?
Three years back and looking to buy our first home. All the questions that choosing a location to live brings up. Who knew it would be so stressful? Who knew it would reveal more things I need to surrender and learn and grow? How have you been intentional in where you’ve lived, as a missionary and as a non-missionary (and does it make a difference)? As always- all the questions.
Coming up on three years off the field. What do you do on anniversaries of hard, big things? What has changed and what has stayed the same for you since then?
Do you have a once a year missions fair, celebration, conference, meal, or whatnot? How does that work? Do people come? Is it effective? What would you do if you could do it any way you wanted?
What were your best vacation memories? How do they do vacations where you were at? Did you feel like you couldn’t share pictures of your vacations with your supporters? What are the issues around vacations and missionaries?
What are the stories of your homes? How has moving/changing affected you? Do you get the angst (“angsties”) when you feel like it’s time to move on? What happens when you can’t move yet? How do you deal with the angsties?
What funny, embarrassing, horrible experiences have you had while learning what is taboo in another language? How has that changed what you think about cussing in your own culture?
How have you experienced loss when it comes to money? Have you ever felt manipulated by money? Have you ever felt you had to manipulate to receive money?
And what about worthy/unworthy rich? What about the whole subject of enabling? How can we give and serve the right people at the right time the right way? Is it even possible?
We had two Christmas’s in Brazil, each with their big stories. I share our stories, and would love to hear yours.
What were some things that really helped- and what hurt- when leaving missions? So excited to have Jeff Turner share his insights, after leaving the mission field four years ago. It was such a honor to serve with him in Brazil, and now to continue our friendship here, with both our families in the USA.
It is our two year anniversary of moving back to the states from Brazil. How do you handle transition anniversaries? How do you help other transition well? What have you learned about transitions after transitioning?
I kind of cringe when people say something like “I need to send my kid on a mission trip so they can see how good they have it.” Or thinking that a trip is going to solve a problem they have. Please don’t ask missionaries to fix your problems! We have enough already!
Why do I have these feelings when I walk into a mega church? After 17 years in Brazil making all of my kids resources, how do I hold the disconnect of all this kids stuff resources at this mega con conference? How do you hold the disconnect?
What are the lies that have crept into your beliefs over the years- and how can you see them more clearly as you leave the label of “vocational ministry”?
What stories do you tell? Only the happy ones? What makes for a successful story? What if the story changes? What about the large group of those you work with that don’t really have stories?
Has the individualistic American culture leaked into the church in how we focus on salvation at the expense of sanctification? Do we look at parables through an evangelistic lens and forget about a discipleship application? How has this affected missions?
Someone I love in Brazil just died, and it is hard to not be there. What was your experience with preparing and dealing with death while serving on the field?
What do you wish to go back and tell yourself when you were just starting out? I share three things (that I am still working on) as well as talking about the Velvet Ashes retreat. Have you been? Go!
Recording slowly with my daughters, this is the Audiobook of my book, which you can order on Amazon!
The last chapters of part 2, read by me, the author, with my two daughters adding their important commentary. Thank you for joining us on this journey!
My daughters help me with this very special audiobook of the book I wrote for them about the conversations we need to have about race and God.
Jessica joins Sofia and I in the fun! We talk (and read) the final chapters of part 1 of my book, “Check the Box.”
My daughters help me read through and talk about my book, “Check the Box.” Jessica really wanted to be a part of this episode at the end.
Reading my book with my 6 year old daughter, as we talk through (again and again) issues of race and history and what that means to us today.
17 missionaries kidnapped (some young children). Two have been released. Every missionary’s nightmare. Not only that, but the hard truth about safety and forgiveness. And then...what about the horrible abuse and cover-up from that same mission agency in Haiti in the past? How does that play into it? What does it mean for how we think about them? About how we grieve and pray? The link I mentioned: https://rachelpiehjones.substack.com/p/on-kidnapping-and-forgiving?
What do you do when your passport country has a holiday, but it isn’t celebrated in your host country? What about when it is, but it looks so different from what you are used to?
If the money doesn’t come, is it because you messed up? Do you need to change something? Is God trying to teach you something? If you are in your original culture, how do you diversify like you automatically did on the missions field?
Are you in the “adult” stage of ministry? This year I will have served with World Renewal Brazil for 18 years and I feel like I am going to all the graduations with their joys and tears. Letting go- stepping from hero to guide in the story. How has that gone for you? Is it hard to let go? Do you look back and see joy or regret or both? Does it have to be either/or? Can it be “and”?
Did being a missionary make you a superstar in certain company? Did it give you “the look” in other company? And what are your experiences with church planting? How was it different than “church attending,” especially in a large church?
How long does it take to “settle in”? When do you feel like your emotionally, mentally and spiritually unpacked? Do you ever really feel like you are back for good? We look at Amy Medina’s great blog post: Rewriting the Ending.
When did you feel like you got to see and enjoy and partake in the “fruit of your labor?” What is Jesus’s favorite question? Do you think people who have never really felt deep pain and loss can write deep and meaningful books? Lots of little stories and thoughts from waaaaay back.
An article from alifeoverseas.com called “When the Backpack is too Heavy” hit me really hard in many different ways with different applications. How do you let your backpack get too heavy? What is it making it heavy? How do you lighten your backpack? How do you take off your backpack?
What have you seen or done to raise funds for missions? How do trends seem to be changing? What has worked and what hasn’t? How do you balance not being focused on money with the whole point of a fundraiser being to get money? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
What is culture shock? What are the stages? How did it affect you? Looking at the shock of language, culture, ministry, geography, and emotions- and how that hit me personally, and then how it hit differently when we returned to Brazil as a family.
15 of my favorite websites, 5 podcasts, and 5 YouTube channels that encouraged me during my missions journey. How do you make sure you are spiritually fed and connected when in another country and language? What resources have you found?
All about having my babies in Brazil- inspired by the “preggisode” on “It’s Teatime Somewhere” podcast where they talk about the same thing :). Also, check out the three “Baby Abroad” YouTube videos on our channel “Five minutes of Fergie.” If you want paperwork about all the paperwork you need to do to have a baby in Brazil- just email me!
What part of language learning was the hardest for you? What do you still struggle with? Did you give enough value/time/energy into language learning as you wanted to? What natural disasters and news headlines about your passport country have hit you the hardest while you’ve been gone? How do you handle news intake from your home country?
What wedding traditions did you find interesting from another culture? Did you ever think about the wedding traditions of your own culture?
What has music in a second language meant to you? Do you like worshipping better in your heart language? Do you think locals should learn translated music or music that comes from their own culture and history? Could it be an either/or or an and/both kind of thing?
How has your personality benefited or hindered you in missions? Is it harder for an introvert on the missions field than an extrovert? A team player versus a trailblazer? How have you seen this play out?
What ways were you able to easily connect with people from across the world? What kind of stereotypes did you have to face/break? How did locals respond to Americans?
Have you ever been a part of an English camp or teaching EFL? Had students of all ages and abilities in one classroom? What funny stories of miscommunication do you love to share? We will have to have another episode for that!
How do you know when to stop a good thing? When do you re-evaluate? What is it like to look back and realize you met people five years ago who are now a huge part of your heart?