In Part I I talked about some of the issues surrounding ethical adoption, now I’d like to talk about how we can do it better. Please know, my heart is NEVER to bring condemnation, because we all need grace and I am a huge proponent of self-compassion, but as we enter this adoption landscape I want […]
Ethical Adoption Part Two: How We Can Do it Better Read More »
I lived on the red-earthed roads of Uganda for almost seven years. It’s so much different to live in a place than to visit it. Over time, you get to see the complexities of issues that others only have distorted, rosy snapshots of. Short term missions trips would see smiling faces of children in orphanages
Ethical Adoption Part One: The Problem with Orphanages Read More »
When I was 26 I moved to Uganda to start a non-profit. I didn’t really identify as a “missionary” then because there was too much baggage associated with the term and I wasn’t “evangelizing” people, I was simply loving them as Jesus would. But new to the field, there was a lot I didn’t know
4 Ways to Avoid the White Savior Complex in Missions Read More »
Yesterday I did my first Facebook Live on my business page. I was excited and nervous (I don’t love being on video so this was a personal “being brave” moment for me) and I was worried technology wouldn’t cooperate, but it went beautifully! Toxic Missions Environments: Is it you or them who is unhealthy? Posted by Sarita Hartz
Video: Toxic Missions Environments: Is it You or Them? Read More »
It’s that time again! I’m doing another survey, and things might get controversial, which I’m stoked about! If you’re a missionary/global worker of any kind, (whether current or former) I want to hear your story. Specifically around your experiences with your Sending Organization/Church/NGO. This is your chance to rate your sending organization (Exciting huh?) This can
Rate Your Missions Sending Organization: Take the Free Survey Read More »
If you’d asked me a few years ago, this wouldn’t have been the hill I staked my flag on. Hell, I’m not even sure I want to now….aren’t Millennials kinda (pardon my French)…assholes? But every day I see beautiful, passionate, world changers torn to bits by the machine that is missions, limping home disillusioned, cynical,
The Surprising Ways the Church is Failing Millennial Missionaries Read More »
I got to see my baby today. He’s eight weeks and the size of a wild strawberry, tiny as a jelly bean with little limbs. The heart is already flickering at 172. I’d never seen my baby’s heartbeat. I’d never had a happy ultrasound. On the black and white screen this rainbow baby was hanging out upside
I’ve realized in my work that when you want to serve people the way they want to be served and you’re not sure how to do that, it’s best just to ask. It’s amazing how validating and soothing the simple words, “What do you need?” can be. To this end, I’ve created a brief, 5 minute
I was born in 1981 so I think that technically makes me a Millennial missionary. (Maybe I should duck and run for cover now?) Let’s face it, a lot of people crap on Millennials. Fairly or unfairly they’ve gotten a bad rap. We’ve all seen the John Crist spoofs about the entitlement of the Millennial generation. They’re
When you’re in the middle of deep suffering sometimes all you can do is exhale anguished prayers between sobs. Those prayers sound more like “Help” and “Please” than they do anything intelligible. All you can manage is to play worship music over yourself and let the words believe for you when you can’t utter the sounds.
Suffering, The Uninvited Companion: A Scott Shaum Interview Read More »
Day three into the new year and I’m already failing. At least those are the thoughts I woke up with. There’s nothing like New Year’s resolutions to send you into a shame spiral, where you start hand fisting Oreos while trying to fit everything on your calendar. I’m not unfamiliar with failure. I spent New
My first year on the mission field I experienced spiritual abuse, discouragement from others, debilitating sickness, isolation, culture shock, lies, theft, betrayal, setbacks, harassment, vicarious trauma, depression, and fatigue. As a single woman then, I went through most of this alone. And yet, somewhere within myself, I found the courage to continue on in my purpose
