Re-Entry: Identity

We are all searching and asking the question, “Who am I?” Where do I find significance?

How often do we define who we are by listing the things we have accomplished or achieved? Demonstrating our significance and identity as being dependent on these lists of accomplishments and achievements. Then using these lists as though they were our credentials or resume for people to recognize who we are by what we have done.

Throughout our whole life we put on various roles both informal and formal to help define who we are. Global Workers also have various roles to help define who they are both when entering a new culture and when in the process of re-entry often are struggling and wrestling with, “Who am I?”

Many Global Workers live abroad to be on mission with Jesus, being part of a cause for justice, love, and mercy that is bigger than themselves. The years abroad continue to shape and mold their identity, worldview, values, and beliefs in different and more intricate ways than if they lived those years in their own passport country.

Some may have an identity crisis that is triggered upon re-entry because the many roles, titles, names, and responsibilities are stripped upon returning. The Global Worker is not the same person when they left to live abroad and may struggle and wrestle with identity because of being misunderstood, not able to share their story – being known.

This is why having a community that understands these struggles can provide a space for Global Workers to share their experiences, find common ground, and to be known, and understood. Looking for a community that can understand you as you struggle and wrestle with, “Who am I?” Join 'Are We There Yet? Navigating Re-Entry' Facebook group.

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October Newsletter

SHANNON’S CORNER The Saga Continues… The trip to Malaysia consisted of a two-day spiritual retreat with the theme of ‘Come Away With Me’ and a six-day conference with about 230 missionaries who serve in some aspect of translating the Scriptures. One of the many people who I met was a missionary who served in Cameroon for many years and now is in a new role. As he was sharing, most his words were very negative and depressive. I encouraged him to sign up for a time of prayer and care. At the end of the retreat, this missionary shared with me that he did have a session and I could see that his whole countenance changed, and he was hopeful. His new word he used to describe where he was now is ‘delightful.’ Our time there was creating a safe space for these missionaries to have a place to share what they are struggling with and to connect with Jesus. One missionary is at a crossroads in her life. Another finds himself in the midst of betrayal. A missionary is in a new role as a caregi...

September Newsletter

SHANNON’S CORNER Connect. Nurture. Grow. Thank you for your faithfulness in praying for this ministry. Each debrief is a sacred invitation—a chance to step into someone’s story, even if only for a short stretch of the journey. It feels a bit like being allowed to glimpse a painting still in progress. We may not yet see the final picture, but we trust the One who promises to complete the good work He has begun until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6). Recently, in an online debrief, the missionary shared: “ I am in a much better place since our initial meeting. Taking the time to process my lived experience overseas and to grieve the losses, I now feel I have the capacity to move forward here in my new season of life. ” We also had the joy of walking alongside three third culture children. To see their eyes light up as their stories were received with understanding and care was priceless. These children do not often have many who truly grasp their unique li...

June Newsletter

SHANNON’S CORNER Connect. Nurture. Grow. Building connection and trust are important in any relationship and especially when wanting to create a safe place for people to share and process their stories. Sometimes with kids and teens it can take a bit of time to foster those connections and trust. A question that is implied is, “Are you safe to share my story with?” Often it is through play these connections are built. Both families who I debriefed serve in Uganda, they serve with different organizations in the capital of Kampala, and both families are in transition. The one sibling group were ages 3, 6, and 8 years old and as I worked with them, I was able to apply some of the principles I learned in play processing. The other sibling group were ages 5, 7, 13, and 14 years old which was a bit of a challenge for me with the large age span. The main thing for all of them was saying goodbye to friends who have come and gone while they were the ones “left behind”, and for the one sib...

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