“The Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah…” — Jonah 1:17 The story of Jonah is not flattering. He receives a clear call from God and chooses to run in the opposite direction. Not out of confusion, but out of resistance. And yet, the mission does not collapse. God intervenes. God redirects. God continues to move toward the people of Nineveh. At every point, it is clear that the outcome does not depend on Jonah’s willingness. God’s purposes are not limited by human hesit

“Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning.” — Ecclesiastes 4:13 There is a tendency to dismiss younger generations when they hesitate. To assume that lack of participation means lack of passion. But Scripture itself warns against that kind of thinking. Wisdom is not tied to age alone. Sometimes it shows up in the questions we are uncomfortable answering. Gen Z is not indifferent to purpose. They care deeply about j

A reflection on Jonah 1:1–3 During our team devotion today, we read Jonah 1:1–3. It’s a passage many of us know well. God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh, a city known for its wickedness. But instead of going toward the place God sends him, Jonah goes the opposite direction. He boards a ship to Tarshish, trying to escape the call. It’s a strangely comforting story. Not because Jonah runs, but because it reminds us of something important about missions: the success of God’s m

This week, I lost my professor from my MA program. She mentored me in creative writing. More than techniques or structure, she taught me how to pay attention. How to sit with a thought. How to be brave with words. How to trust that what we notice matters. Her passing shocked me. And it left me with a kind of sadness that slows everything down. When grief hits like that, I usually reach for words. Books. Old notes. Scripture. Anything that might help me make sense of what I

Learning the Seasons of Missions During our recent team devotion, the sharing touched on Ecclesiastes for our devotional this January, and it quietly stayed with me. Maybe because it met us right where we were. A new year always tempts us to reinvent ourselves, to rush into becoming newer, better, louder versions of who we were before. But this verse does something gentler. It slows us down. It reminds us that while we have seen many versions of ourselves over the years, God

I went into the Arise Asia Summit tired in the way only people in ministry get tired. Full calendar. Full heart. Full questions. I left with something steadier than hype. Not answers to everything, but clarity. And hope that felt… practical. Here are three things that stayed with me after three days of listening, praying, and sitting with people who carry the same burden for the nations. 1. A united missions ecosystem is no longer just an idea For a long time, missions in

A Free 12-Day Missional Reflection Series The Quiet Work of Christmas is a free, downloadable reflection series created to help you slow down and notice how God works not through noise or urgency, but through nearness, presence, and faithful obedience. Across twelve days, these reflections explore themes of going, waiting, remembering, welcoming, generosity, and staying. Some reflections look outward to the nations. Others look inward to the quiet, daily choices that shape o

The Cross-Cultural Budget: A Filipino Missionary’s Practical Guide to Finances and Cultural Preparation Starting my first long-term mission assignment was one of the most exciting, yet nerve-wracking, experiences of my life. My field was South Asia, a country of vibrant, complex culture and spiritual need. As a Filipino, I knew I carried a unique heritage, but I also recognized that success in cross-cultural ministry required deep intentionality, especially when it came to pr

Growing up in the province, Holy Week has always felt like a pause button. The streets quiet down, stores close early, and the air itself feels more still, as if the whole island is taking a breath. It’s one of the few moments in the year when life slows, and many of us begin to reflect, whether we intend to or not. In the Philippines, people observe Holy Week in different ways. Some take the opportunity to travel, making the most of the time out from work to visit beaches

“Neak’ru1 Lydia, have you seen Chann’s2 bicycle? It’s falling apart.” Making my way back to my work desk after lunch, I made a pit stop...

Covid-19 profoundly changed my work rhythm. From a Tuesday to Sunday work week with Monday as a rest day, I have transitioned to a fluid,...

C. Neal Johnson, the author of Business as Missions (BAM): A Comprehensive Guide to Theory and Practice, asks in his book, “Isn’t it...

Before we get to the heart of the matter, it is important to define what we mean by an indigenous church. Henry Ven, a British mission...

Reflections on Luke 24 As followers of Christ, we are called to share His message with the world, yet there are times when we fail to...

In a previous article , I shared the benefits of journaling the mission journey when we pen down our thoughts, prayers, and significant...

As a missionary working in the field, focused on the daily tasks at hand and solving the myriad of issues that often arise, time passes quickly in a blur of activity. The busy days filled with various challenges of missionary life can sometimes leave little room for introspection and hearing from God. This is where spiritual journaling comes in. It offers numerous benefits, including fostering self-reflection and gratitude, facilitating conversations with God, aiding in plann

On a recent week-long mission trip, I embraced the challenge of travelling light with just a 20L backpack and a small sling bag. The...

The Twelve Apostles 12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when day...

A few weeks ago, my brother fractured his wrist in a fall. This meant I spent a few extra days at my sister's place where he was...

This is a continuation of my earlier post, Lessons from a Hoikuen , a dedicated childcare facility in Japan where I have been teaching...