Ep. 9 - Forced Transitions

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Description

This episode helps us understand what it is like for cross-cultural workers who want to stay and serve in a country but are deported and unable to return. Sometimes they have months to prepare; other times there is no warning. Global workers experience many emotions when they say goodbye and leave the people and ministries they love. Is good closure even possible when you are unexpectedly kicked out of a country? John and Janet share their own experience and what they’ve learned. They also share ideas for how churches, family and friends can be helpful, and how God sustains them in their grief.

Resources

⁠Not Optional: How Member Care Supports Cross-Cultural Ministry⁠

⁠Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament ⁠by Mark Vroegop

⁠Grit to Stay Grace to Go: Staying Well in Cross-Cultural Ministry⁠ by Sue Eenigenburg and Eva Burkholder

⁠Tim Keller Sermons on the Sovereignty of God⁠

"⁠Glorious Unfolding⁠" song by Stephen Curtis Chapman

Guest Bios

John and Janet: Janet grew up as a third-culture kid and desired to serve across cultures. She went to Moody Bible Institute where she met John, who grew up in Montana. Together they left to serve among least-reached peoples in 1988. They served in church-planting ministry in small cities and eventually moved into a member care ministry. In 2005 they were deported for the first time. However, for the 15 years of their court case, they could travel in and out of their country of service every three months. Though they eventually won their court case, they were deported again in 2023 and unable to return. Today they are planning to serve in a different location overseas.

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