Home Ties

It's hard to leave your parents - but what if you don't have a choice? In this week's episode, my daughter shares her perspective on our family's multiple moves.

Every culture has different standards of beauty - and everyone is concerned about their external appearance.

We don't all start life from the same place - but we are headed for the same destination, so each one of us needs to stay in their lane.

Cross-cultural communication is complicated, and not just because you're speaking in a foreign language in a foreign culture. Your tongue can be either God's instrument or Satan's.

Jesus said that it is the sick who need a doctor and not those who are healthy. Telling the story of God's love means telling the story of sinners - but not necessarily their sins.

Lending a helping hand to those in need is an opportunity for you to show your Christian love - and it's important to know when not to help

It's important for expat missionaries to obey local laws and honor the government. However, laws aren't always evenly enforced or applied fairly by officials. 

"Live like a local" is easier said than done - and some have an easier time than others. 

Missionaries make many sacrifices for the sake of their mission and are dedicated to their work, sometimes to a fault

Different cultures have very different perspectives on time.  It is vital for a missionary to manage his expectations of what he can accomplish on any day, and to recognize that God's time runs on a different clock.

Encountering a foreign culture requires one to be open and flexible to new experiences and perspectives. Coming back to your home culture you find out how much you've changed, and how difficult it is to feel like you belong.

The children of ex-pats are sometimes referred to as "Third Culture Kids" or TCK's for short. They have a  unique experience growing up in a foreign culture, and a very different perspective on the culture of their parents' country of birth. My daughter Christian joins me on this episode to offer her take. 

My wife and I reflect on the many stresses that moving around has placed on our marriage over the years, and how God's promises have kept strengthening our home

Marriage is designed to withstand life's pressures and challenges. If you don't believe me, listen to my wife's side of the story.

I have had second thoughts about many decisions I've made in my life,  like moving overseas for example. One thing is certain: nothing happens by accident.

Missionaries are often imprisoned or killed for their activities. Jesus told his disciples that they would suffer persecution, but that doesn't mean that we Christians should seek it out. It's important to keep perspective on what you can and can't accomplish.

A trip to the market reveals the honor/shame dynamic at play in Africa and the difficulties it creates for an American shopper

Why does it seem like everyone else is in on the joke except you when you live in a strange place? It's all about "context"

Moving to a new place and starting a job is exciting - but also means you have to reinvent yourself and assume a new identity

Death is a universal constant for all humanity - yet there is an incredible variety of cultural traditions and beliefs regarding death and grieving all over the world. Viewing death through another culture's eyes gives you insight not only into your own cultural hangups but also the unique message of the Bible.