1. leading your family SEND International
Missionary Orientation Program 2017
Dr. Judy Severns, Scott and Leslie Powell

3. Introduction
Changes and transition are a reality of mission and the missionary life. How are you processing upcoming changes?
What does it mean to be a family “on mission”?

4. Pursuing a Happy and Healthy Family
1. A happy and healthy family is a worthy pursuit, but this is a means to an even greater end – the glory of God in fulfilling His calling to us as a couple and family.

5. Pursuing a Happy and Healthy Family
2. The “fish bowl” syndrome is a reality of missionary life. You cannot choose whether or not you will be in the “fish bowl,” but you can choose your response to it.

6. Pursuing a Happy and Healthy Family
“the marital partnership and home life of the missionary couple is considered an essential part of the mission,” and “couples put their marriage and family life on display for people around them.” The Missionary Family, 13.

7. Pursuing a Happy and Healthy Family
3. Your model of a biblical marriage and family speaks far more loudly than your words.

8. Pursuing a Happy and Healthy Family
Breakout
Share in your group your response:
What feelings do you have as you arrive for MOP? And as you look ahead toward changes as you move to your SEND assignment?

9. Pursuing a Happy and Healthy Family
4. Parents’ attitude toward change, the new culture and people, is a determinative factor in children’s adjustment to the new place.

10. Pursuing a Happy and Healthy Family
5. Healthy family life involves cultivating a sense of extended family within the mission membership or team.

11. Navigating Transition

12. Navigating Transition
Shepherding children through transitions

13. Navigating Transition
Shepherding children through transitions
Maintain the familiar

14. Navigating Transition
Shepherding children through transitions
Maintain the familiar
Listen to your children in transitions

15. Navigating Transition
Shepherding children through transitions
Maintain the familiar
Listen to your children in transitions
Help children process change

16. Navigating Transition
Shepherding children through transitions
Maintain the familiar
Listen to your children in transitions
Help children process change
Build a positive outlook of coming change

17. Navigating Transition
Shepherding children through transitions
Building their RAFT:
Reconcile
Affirm
Farewells
Think destination

18. Suggestions
2. Develop an “attitude of gratitude”

19. Habits of Healthy Family Life
Regular family worship and prayer
Resource: weavefamily.org
(worship, and mission awareness learning activities for children
and youth)

20. Habits of Healthy Family Life
Regular family worship and prayer
“Ownership” of the greater purpose and mission of the home

21. Habits of Healthy Family Life
Regular family worship and prayer
“Ownership” of the greater purpose and mission of the home
Boundaries for family time together

22. Habits of Healthy Family Life
Regular family worship and prayer
“Ownership” of the greater purpose and mission of the home
Boundaries for family time together
Making discovery of your adopted place a family adventure

23. Balancing Family and School

24. Balancing Family and School
Each family with children has choices and responsibilities

25. Balancing Family and School
Each family with children has choices and responsibilities
Help is available from SEND, SHARE, and AERC

26. Balancing Family and School
Each family with children has choices and responsibilities
Help is available from SEND, SHARE, and AERC
Family life revolves around school schedules

27. Balancing Family and School
Each family with children has choices and responsibilities
Help is available from SEND, SHARE, and AERC
Family life revolves around school schedules
Mom as teacher = full time job (plus!)

28. Balancing Family and School
Help national coworkers understand your educational choice and schedule

29. Balancing Family and School
Help national coworkers understand your educational choice and schedule
Dad needs to be engaged at some level with school life of kids

30. Balancing Family and School
Help national coworkers understand your educational choice and schedule
Dad needs to be engaged at some level with school life of kids
Families may use several educational options and each child is unique

31. Great Resources

32. Resource for Younger Kids

33. The Primary Resource

34. What it Means to be an MK

35. Q & A
So What about ?

36. Summary

37. Summary
Nurturing healthy family life involves specific habits and attitudes.

38. Summary
Nurturing healthy family life involves specific habits and attitudes.
God designs to use your family as a model for others to follow.

39. Summary
Nurturing healthy family life involves specific habits and attitudes.
God designs to use your family as a model for others to follow.
Parents are responsible for the education of their children and there are resources available to assist.

40. Reflection
What insight did you find particularly provocative or interesting?
What habit of healthy family life or attitude will you seek to implement as you prepare for entry into your new cultural setting?