It all started about 8 years ago with a referral. The caller wanted to refer an individual for online counseling, an individual working cross culturally, that was experiencing a significant degree of anxiety related to their living circumstances. My first reaction was certainly ! I've been doing online counseling and working with anxiety ? no problem !
After the call, it hit me, wait a minute, my perspective, my approach, in counseling individuals with anxiety in my local context, is probably not going to work with someone who is fulfilling a Call to work cross culturally. This realization began my search, my seeking to better prepare myself to work with those who were answering the Call to serve cross-culturally. I read among other articles and books "Facing Danger; A Guide through Risk" by Anna Hampton and would later attend a workshop she offered as well. I have come to a better understanding of my theology of suffering, risk, and adjusting / aligning my understanding of Missions, those who serve, and how I might be of service.
I've attended webinars, conferences, served on short term trips (Lithuania, El Salvador, and Turkey), become a Certified Cerny Smith Stress Coach, and have had the privilege along the way to work with those serving cross-culturally as my preparation continues. I'll always be thankful for that first call and grateful for the path it put me on.
Psalm 139: 16b "...all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
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