We asked a question and got some

Not-So-Surprising Results.

We recently sent a survey question to around 100 of our missionaries who work in the role of people-care asking if, in the last 8 or 9 months they have encountered someone struggling with suicide - either thoughts of suicide, attempted suicide, or surviving a completed suicide. The feedback has been sobering.
Fourteen people have already responded in the affirmative with a total of twenty-five such situations. Many of the respondents have dealt with multiple suicide ideations or attempts. Those struggling with this issue are fellow missionaries, missionary kids, church members, or people in the community where they minister.
Are you shocked?

We're not. It reflects what we are hearing all too regularly, a significant increase in spiritual, emotional, and mental health issues since the COVID pandemic began.

If this is YOU or someone you love, please please reach out for help. Call us or someone you trust.  
You are loved, you are needed. There is hope...

"And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with." Romans 5:5

This is How You Can Pray:

COVID-19 may keep our travel schedule curtailed this Fall, but the need for Chaplaincy is great. We appreciate your prayers for these areas: 

• Spiritual, emotional, and mental health issues are on the rise. People are hurting -including missionaries and their families. Please pray for and reach out to the global workers you know. They need you!
• Online Zoom calls as we debrief personnel affected by flooding in Niger, the bombing in Beirut, COVID-19, and other crisis around the world.
• Stacey's work with church and community leaders in the Bahamas leading bible-based Trauma Healing sessions. Pray for open doors to go there in person in October.
• Mark's work in mediation and conflict resolution -always requires wisdom and discernment -as well as willing and humble hearts.
• For Grace in her senior year at College of Charleston and Ben who is a freshmen at York Tech. The online format can be challenging. Pray they will manage time wisely and not miss important details.
• Katie working as a concept artist for a big gaming company and hoping for another full time contract this Spring.
• Isaac and Josiah in 10th and 11th grade this year.
• Praise! Mark's parents are getting back to full health after COVID. Please keep praying for his Uncle Roger who has a long road to recovery.