This past week, a Brigada participant wrote, “Would you know of any Christian halfway houses that specifically minister to traumatized returning foreign missionaries? My friend is in chronic pain from tropical diseases. To deal with the unrelenting pain he turned to drink and substance abuse. His wife and kids left him and returned to the US. My friend needs to get checked into a Christian recovery center that can help him physically, mentally and spiritually.” Where would you send our friend?
5) Where Can a Hurting Missionary Heal?
The ServantCARE ministry offers a page where many resources can be found. https://servantcare.com/partner-resources
We partner with counselors at our Retreat Center Locations also. ServantCARE is a nonprofit, cross denominational ministry that CARES for missionaries, pastors, and those in Christian ministry in a variety of ways.
If you are near the upper midwest, check out Reformers Unanimous in Rockford, IL, (with chapters throughout the upper midwest). https://rurecovery.com/
Link Care in Fresno California was a marriage and family saver for us back in the early nineties. It’s still doing great work. https://linkcare.org
As well as the ServantCARE ministry mentioned below, I would encourage anyone in this situation or traumatised or in burnout to consider The Inn of Last Resort – https://www.innoflastresort.org – which has several courses (like Train to Reign), which can help rebuild missionaries, people struggling in marriage and burned out Christians in ministry. This is a humble ministry that has helped several well-known international figures and leaders and they give all focus and praise to the LORD. We have had personal experience as recipients of their service and also as staff for a particular length of time. This centre is in the USA (Franklin, NC – near Nantahala National Forest) and remote in the western NC mountains.
Also, for those overseas facing similar or traumatic seasons, in Europe (Switzerland) there is a fabulous centre (whose founders were blessed by the NC centre above!). Check out this link: https://lerucher.org
I’d look into Alongside in Michigan. We’ve been tremendously helped by their emphasis on missionaries and people in ministry. https://www.alongsidecares.net
Love all of these. Thanks to each of you for pitching in!
Oasis Rest: https://oasisrest.org/ I’ve visited their location in Costa Rica a few times and it was a tremendous blessing. They have many locations throughout the globe.
To address just one aspect of this challenge… namely, “My friend is in chronic pain from tropical diseases. To deal with the unrelenting pain he turned to…” I highly recommend a truly amazing breakthrough product that deals with physical pain and conditions, even chronic pain, called x39. One can get more information on this product at http://www.startx39.com. Others with various physical conditions and pain may want to check it out as well. If anyone checks this out and finds it helpful, please shoot me an email jfox@teamexpansion.org