Shannon's Corner

Gathered around the table to remanence over family stories. A comedy of errors staring our family vacation trips that usually had something go wrong such as malfunctions of cars, locked keys in car, rain inside the tent, getting in the way of an oar, you name it and it probably happened. At the time, the incident was not so funny but now in the retelling we laugh about it. These and many more shared experiences with my family growing up is what bonded us together.  Having shared experiences does not mean everyone in the family or group are impacted in the same way. But it does validate and affirm the reality of what is being witnessed. Shared experiences allow us to find common ground that binds us and connects us to those experiencing the same or a similar experience.  People who have lived overseas have shared experiences with others who have lived overseas in understanding some of the lived languaculture experiences. Re-entry can be hard and challenging because there are no...

   SHANNON’S CORNER Let’s be People of Remembrance. The Season of Lent is a time to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits and remember all that Yahweh did for His people as we journey to Holy Week, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. I am enjoying participating in the  She Reads Truth   People of Remembrance  Bible reading plan for Lent. Who Yahweh is and what he had done for his people. Yahweh’s with-ness with his people is what has really spoken to me so far in this first week of Lent. How delightful and such an enjoyment to be invited by One Mission Society Church Partners to facilitate a training on partner care team at Dubois Lakeside Church. The training was on the importance and need for churches to care for their global workers in partnership with the mission agency and to care for the US-based missionaries.  Bringing an awareness through building a foundation for care, defining the word missionary and global worker, and h...

  We were created for belonging and connection. It is part of our DNA. In Genesis chapter two it says, “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone…’” It’s why we are born into a family. Belonging is being part of a group, community, club, or tribe of people that contributes to a sense of identity and purpose. It is a place where we get to be ourselves, we are known, and we can contribute, in other words being an integral part of our community.  Belonging encompasses openness, safety, power, and wholeness.  A community makes us feel invited, welcomed, and included. In Duane Elmer’s book, Cross-Cultural Servanthood, he writes, “Openness is rooted deeply in our view of the God who welcomes sinners and accepts them as bearers of his image; thus each person possess a sacred dignity – the kind of dignity that compels us to also welcome others into our lives,” (pg. 151).   A safe community is vital for our need to be who we are without the need to hide parts...