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By pwdiane, August 7, 2009

Recently we had a chance to talk to some folks just preparing to go out as cross-culture workers. What a joy it was to have a part in preparing them for what they would face on the field. That made me think about what some of their greatest challenges would be. As we all know, there are few things more challenging than learning to live and serve effectively in a host culture. Just thinking back to our early years and first posting can give us the shakes! How did we ever manage? And how did our new friends tolerate us? Ultimately it was, and is Father’s faithfulness.

Some years ago I did a little informal survey of some PWs. Their answers fell into nine categories. I thought it might be a good time to take another look at these challenges. Keep in mind as you look at them, that many of these are stresses we, as workers, cannot change. We find ways to adapt and adjust our expectations. This isn’t bad, but it takes work on our part and grace from our Father- lots of it. Continue reading 'Our Greatest Challenges'»

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By pwdiane, October 2, 2007

Today’s newsletter is not about speaking a language like Russian or Swahili or Tamil. It is about the language of love. My husband wrote this article for married couples, but the principles apply to conversations in our family, among our staff, and even with nationals. Our words are powerful.

How old were you when you learned to talk? Very verbal children might say their first words at 10 months. By age two you probably had a vocabulary of 100 to 200 words, and the ability to form simple sentences. So you might say that you’ve been saying words all your life. But the real question is, “What have those words done?” Sure, millions of them, even most of them, are gone and forgotten, having served their momentary purpose. Others, though, had profound and lasting consequences.

Continue reading 'Healing Encouraging Words'»

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By pwdiane, July 24, 2007

PWs and PW husbands come in all personality styles. For this issue of Peter’s Wife we are looking at the strong wife and the more easy-going, quiet husband. How do they manage in a cross cultural situation?

Many PWs have strong personalities or they wouldn’t survive in a cross cultural situation. These women are gifted in certain areas and are capable leaders. Some of them are married to strong, visionary, high-energy husbands and have the usual adjustments to submission and cooperation. But for strong, capable, verbal women married to more easy going, quieter husbands, the adjustment may be much harder.

Continue reading 'Strong Wife, Quiet Husband'»

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By pwdiane, May 30, 2007

John comes home from work one day to find Sally in tears. “I am a terrible mother,” she cries! “ I don’t know why I ever let you get me pregnant! Any mother could do this better than me.”

Her three year old had, in just fifteen minutes, tried to see if those little goldfish crackers would swim in the toilet, unwound a whole role of toilet paper, and tried to teach the cat to swim. And he did it all with the sweetest smile.

Timmy, the three year old tornado, has reduced a perfectly capable mother– a woman with a masters degree and a nice even temperament– into a defeated mass of regrets.

Continue reading 'A Perfect Ending to a Lousy Day'»

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By pwdiane, August 19, 2005

Let’s have some fun! Communication is challenging whether in marriage, with our children, with our co-workers, or with nationals. But sometimes improvement comes when we step back and look at it from a different angle.

My husband came up with the idea of using animals as pictures of human communication. Take a look at these and see if you can identify yourself or someone else you are trying to communicate with. Note that we sometimes act like different animals in different situations. Puppies can become clams if they are intimidated.

Have fun with the animals, and no fighting or self-condemnation, please. Continue reading 'Talking Like the Animals'»