For the Joy

It was several years ago now that I received an email inviting me to write a chapter for a new book.  It was to be a collection of stories from mothers - who had served in mission - about what it was like to be a mother in a missionary context. I was interested, but not entirely sure what I would write. 

Me, as a child, visiting Nepal with my family.

I think part of this was because I hadn't just been a 'missionary mother', I'd been a 'missionary kid'. To me, living cross culturally because of my faith was normal whether I was being mothered or mothering. 
But I agreed to give it a go. I found myself treading gingerly through memories and coming to sense just how tenderly God held my heart as I grew from child to adult to parent. And as I traveled from Australia, to Nepal, and back again. 

That book came out in September this year. It's called For the Joy: 21 Australian missionary mother stories on cross-cultural parenting and life. It is edited by Miriam Chan and Sophia Russell. It includes stories from mothers living in Arhnem Land, Pakistan and France. My chapter is #3. 

If you'd like to purchase a copy, you can do so from any good Christian bookstore, or just chat to me.