~ Ruth E. Van Reken, co-author, Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds, 3rd ed., co-founder Families in Global Transition.

 

“The title is misleading. The book is applicable for anyone on the Christian journey. I am not a Wannabe, Newbie, or Weary Cross-cultural Christian Worker. I am a person who has been leading short term mission trips for the last twenty years and who loves missions. I read this book by accident. I bought the book for a missionary friend and the following month met the author at a conference. I did not know he wrote the book when we were talking before lunch. I just immediately liked him because he and his daughter were eating dessert before lunch and I am a card carrying member of that club 🙂 When I learned he was the author of the same book I bought for my friend, I began to read it on the plane home and could not put it down. It is a book for the wannabes and workers on the field but it is also a gold mine for anyone on this journey of faith who desires to finish well. The authenticity and transparency of the book was so encouraging. I laughed, I cried, I wrote TRUTH in the margins, I underlined and shared portions with my friends. I walked away and then came back. I loved that it is written in sections and does not have to be read in sequence. I appreciated the raw honesty evident throughout the stories shared. Yes, it is definitely a book for anyone thinking about serving overseas but also for those who want to understand the people called to go, and for those who are called to let go. It is the best book I have read this year.”

~ Amazon Review

 

“Essential Resource for Missionaries past, present and future. The advice in this book has been hard-won through years of experience, research, consultation with others and a good deal of thought. It is an invaluable resource for those considering or living in the mission fields; it is helpful for those who have been and I highly recommend it for anyone who is formally involved in the sending of missionaries.

“While reasonably comprehensive, the book is also very readable, written in an open, honest and sometimes humourous style. The fact that we get both Elizabeth and Jonathan’s perspectives is also immensly valuable. I shall certainly be promoting the book amongst my own community where there is a dearth of such material and missionaries are often sent with little to no preparation. I can only imagine what a difference it would have made on my own cross-cultural experience.

“With all the great advice, valuable perspectives and down-to-earth commentary; the focus on staying connected to the vine, loving to the Lord Jesus and worshipping God is strong throughout. I hope this book finds its way into the hands of many who hear the call.”

~ Amazon Review

 

“I feel like I’m chatting to an understanding friend when I’m reading this book. So many aspects of living overseas are explored in such a personal way. The format makes it easy to dip into bits as needs and interests arise.

“Some bits I felt I had to read out loud, other bits are best read in private.

“Some of the Grieving Well section I wish I could have read years ago. Some of the “Taking care of your heart” I’m sure I’ll be reading again in years to come.

“As someone who has been in my host country for 10 plus years this book has a lot I can both resonate with and learn from. I’d forgotten the stress of moving to a new country but reading the Moving Well section reminded me I used to “see danger everywhere”. Asia is now the place I find the easiest to live, so this was a surprise to remember. I’ve heard people around me mention their trailing spouse issues but I haven’t experienced it for myself. Now that I’ve read about just how stressful it can be, and that it can be resolved, hopefully I can be more useful the next time it comes up in my community.

“Although I’m not moving back to my passport country I found some of Returning Well helpful for visiting. I find it stressful when random people at church in Australia ask me well-meaning questions like “Welcome home! How was Cambodia?” I want to honour the fact they have shown interest but it’s just such a huge question it’s easier to change the subject. But the ‘magical’ tips for making the most of these interactions look useful.

~ Goodreads Review

 

“Practical, warm and full of hope. This book has been like a good friend. Our family has found ourselves in a very unique context. While we knew it would be harder than we could imagine, how it would be difficult we did not know. Having this book on my kindle has been a comfort on the hard days. It is better to have the ability to put my struggles into words than to be feeling all the emotions and not know why. Elizabeth and Jonathan have done this hard work of articulating the difficulties. As I read my shoulders rest and I feel more understood. This is a book full of honesty and hard experiences processed well… and hope… it is a very hope-giving read.”

~ Amazon Review

 

“Add Serving Well to your library! Serving Well addresses most of the areas a cross-cultural worker will face…
—Moving Well
—Grieving Well
—Taking Care of your heart well
—Taking Care of your marriage well
—Taking Care of your children well
—Working well (with yourself and others)
—Anticipating well (recognizing some of the common pitfalls)
—Recalculating well (when things don’t go as planned)
—Communicating well
—Returning well

“I appreciated that each chapter was clearly labeled as either by “Jonathan” or “Elizabeth” so I knew who was speaking. I also enjoyed the conversational tone and easy writing style, this book is more like a conversation with a friend than listening to a lecture you will be quizzed on. I gave it four stars instead of five for two reasons. One is the length, I’m concerned that people will see how long it is and be scared off by the sheer volume. And as a single person, it struck me that there is a chapter dedicated to taking care of your marriage, and another dedicated to taking care of your children, but no chapter on “taking care of your singleness.” I’m all for taking care of marriages and children :)! But with the number of wonderful single servants on the field, asking for insights from them seems an unnecessary oversight. Still, this book is well worth your time!”

~ Amy Young, author of Looming Transitions

 

“This book is written for more than just a worker. This is a book created for anyone who loves Jesus and wants to serve Him anywhere. Both Jonathon and Elizabeth have obviously poured their heart out in this book and their stories are changing my heart and mind. God has used them to give me new ideas on how to feel and know the truth of His love. I can’t recommend this book more. It’s an easy read, and is written in a way that you can just pick it up and start from anywhere.”

~ Amazon Review

 

“Sensible and sensitive guide to thriving as a cross-cultural worker. Serving cross-culturally or planning to? You’ve got to read this book!

“With more than 100 chapters, it covers everything from how prepare well to how to return well, with reflections and insight on moving overseas; taking care of your heart, marriage, and children; relationships, communication, pitfalls, and what to do when things don’t go as planned.

“An emphasis on cultivating self-knowledge and emotional awareness comes through strong. The book is comprehensive, funny, deep, and well written. I think it would be a good one to read or even read aloud with a spouse, friend, or teammate. You could use chapters to stimulate team discussion. Pastors and member-care types might want to read it, too, and use it as a resource to share with others.

“The Trotters serve in Cambodia. Both write for the popular collaborative missions blog A Life Overseas. Elizabeth is the editor-in-chief. Jonathan spends his days as a pastoral counselor.”

~ Missions Catalyst

 

“Timely Read During Home Assignment. The Trotters hit on pretty much every facet of the ‘ball of wax’ that is being a missionary – whether it being the work itself, family care, self care, culture stress, team dynamics, home assignment challenges and the list goes on. Read this book if you’re a missionary or are in cross-cultural ministry/work of some type.”

~ Amazon Review