Reading

LIBRARY
MORE Network Resource Library of books, blogs, videos, magazines, articles, etc.
https://mnrl.outreach.ca

BOOKS
Expectations and Burnout: Women Surviving the Great Commission (2010) by Robynn Bliss and Sue Eenigenburg.
Leading on Empty: Refilling Your Tank and Renewing Your Passion (2010) by Wayne Cordeiro.
Overcoming Missionary Stress (1987) by Marjory Foyle.
What Missionaries Need to Know About Burnout and Depression (1993) by Esther Schubert.
Serving As Senders - Today (2012) by Neal Pirolo.
Between Worlds (2014) by Marilyn Gardner.
Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility (2006) by Duane Elmer.
Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot - And Cold - Climate Cultures (2000) by Sarah Lanier.
Serving with Eyes Wide Open: Doing Short-Term Missions with Cultural Intelligence (2012) by David Livermore.
When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself (2014) by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.
Burn Up or Splash Down: Surviving the Culture Shock of Re-Entry (2007) by Marion Knell.
Life in Motion: Growing Through Transitions (2018) by Amy Casteel and Ruth Van Reken.
The Art of Coming Home (2001) by Craig Storti.

ONLINE
Blog | Communicating Across Boundaries.
Online community | Velvet Ashes, encouragement for women serving overseas.
Website | Your Expat Child, international relocation advice for parents.

Self-Care

1. MORE Network Canada
The MORE Network is a diverse organization that seeks to empower and support missionaries through events, resources, networking opportunities, etc. The EFCCM is a MORE Network partner.
https://more.outreach.ca

2. Blog: “A Life Overseas: The Missions Conversation”
“As a team of writers who have logged years of overseas experience ourselves, we want to create an online space where expats of many nations come together to interact, encourage, and find a community that ‘gets it’…. At this site, you’ll find honest conversation about the role and realities of international missions, practical advice from others on the foreign field, and faith-based inspiration for the days when you’d just rather go home.”
https://www.alifeoverseas.com/

3. Portal site: “World Christian Missionary Resources”
“Information and resources on how you can reach your world for Jesus and other useful information for Christians. This web site provides information on resources in many different languages.”
http://www.missionaryresources.com/

4. Portal site: “Families in Global Transition”
https://www.figt.org/free_articles_and_information

5. Barnabas Member Care Toolbox
A variety of free practical articles and resources for pastoral care for global workers put together by experienced workers at Barnabas International.
“The goal of Barnabas International is to equip, edify, encourage, and enrich God's servants so that they are refreshed in their souls and renewed in their service.”
https://www.barnabas.org/resources/member-care-downloads

6. Missionary Care Resources
Dr. Koteskey and his wife, Bonnie, offer on-field help to missionaries. Their website offers many resources for free download, including resources for third-culture kids and missionary re-entry.
http://missionarycare.com/

7. Footstool Missions Center (Seoul, South Korea)
Footstool provides “10/40 window” missionaries with resources in member care, training, networking, and fiscal sponsorship. Their free late Jan-early Feb annual retreat is a time of rest, refreshment, rejuvenation, and special care (such as haircuts, massage, counseling, and one on one prayer).
http://www.footstool.org

Retreats

1. Bethany Hong Kong
“Bethany will offer a welcome whether you are looking for a spiritual retreat, a straightforward, cheerful holiday or just a time away from everyone. We cater for groups, families, married couples and individuals. We can provide gentle pastoral care, people to listen and pray with you, and a range of devotional materials to dip into . . . . On the other hand, if you prefer just to hang out on the beach, that is also fine. Our guests include Christians from all denominations and countries, focusing on those in mission but also welcoming those in secular jobs.”
http://www.bethanyhk.org/

2. Juniper Tree (Thailand: Chiang Mai and Dolphin Bay)
“Since 1977, The Juniper Tree has been offering rest and refreshment for Christian workers, who work in situations outside of their own culture. We are an evangelical, non-denominational, charitable foundation, set up to provide places where individuals, couples or families can come to find physical and spiritual refreshment to enable them to return to their sphere of service.”
http://www.juniper-tree.org/

3. Still Waters Retreat House (Mont Nebo, SK Canada)
A lovely 3 bedroom house beside a small lake, maintained as a ministry of Mont Nebo EFC.
“Still Waters is designed to provide a comfortable, restful atmosphere away from the daily demands and responsibilities of ministry. Our prayer is that our guests will find rest for the body and soul as they meet the Lord Jesus in the stillness, and they will leave feeling refreshed and renewed.”
http://www.stillwatersrh.com

4. Highbury Centre (London, UK)
“The Highbury Centre is ideally situated in the heart of London in a delightful conservation area, yet still close to the city centre. Founded in 1893 as The Foreign Missions Club, our guest house has accommodated thousands of pastors, missionaries and ministers from nearby and further afield. Our mission today still is to provide affordable accommodation to those who serve the Lord from across the world.”
http://www.thehighburycentre.org/

OTHERS
Fairhaven Ministries, Vernon BC.
The Mark Centre, Abbotsford BC.
Island Lake Christian Retreat Centre, Coleman AB (near Crowsnest Provincial Park).
Selah Retreat Bed and Breakfast, Sorrento BC.
Kerith Retreats, Focus on the Family, Priddis AB and East Braintree MB.
The Retreat Centre, Liebenzell Mission, Moffat ON.
ELIM Retreats, Barnabas International, Green Lake WI and Eagle WI.

Counseling

1. Cornerstone Counseling Foundation (Chiang Mai, Thailand)
Affiliated with the Narramore Christian Foundation.
“Cornerstone Counseling Foundation primarily serves Christian workers throughout Asia,” providing “…confidential and professional counseling, consultation, and training from a Christian perspective for individuals, marriages, families, teams, and organizations.”
http://www.ccfthailand.org

2. The Well International (Chiang Mai, Thailand)
“The Well International serves cross-cultural workers in Asia and around the world through Clinical Counseling, Soul Care, Training and Events.”
http://www.thewellintl.org

3. Link Care Center (Fresno CA, USA)
“Link Care Center trains & counsels pastors, missionaries…to help them be more effective in life & ministry.”
http://linkcare.org

4. Alongside (Richland MI, USA)
Alongside fosters growth and healing by helping missionaries get away, get help, and “find forward.” It offers professional counseling and shared community, designed to help participants emerge from burnout or breakdown. The signature Renewal and Growth Retreat takes an immersive, three-week format at Alongside’s beautiful, peaceful campus.
https://www.alongsidecares.net

OTHERS
Member Care Counseling, Vancouver BC.
Marilyn Ibsen Coaching and Counseling Services, Abbotsford BC.
Listening Hearts, Three Hills AB.
Expat Family Resilience Coach, Calgary AB.
Refresh Ministries, north of Grande Prairie AB.
Families in Global Transition, Allentown PA.