When our Goer kids lived across the ocean, we had a regularly scheduled video call so we could see their beautiful faces and catch up on their lives. I really looked forward to these twice-a-month extended Skype sessions, but sometimes we just sat and looked at each other in uncomfortable silence. It helped a bit when we each started sending photos via text prior to the conversation because we could use the pictures to structure our discussions, but some weeks we had very few pictures to share and the conversation would stall again. Have you been there?
Parents, it’s all about the questions. Asking specific questions of your Goer will get the conversation started once again. Here are some ideas to focus your next discussion and make it much more fruitful (and fun!).*
QUESTIONS FOR THE NEW GOER:
- What are the first names of your team members? (Always use caution when asking names.) Is there anyone you feel especially close to?
- What are some of your daily routines?
- Have you discovered any new favorite foods?
- What has been the hardest adjustment for you?
- What is one thing that surprises you about your new home?
- What are three words you have mastered in your new language? What do they mean?
- Are you doing anything differently so you can assimilate into this new culture?
QUESTIONS FOR THE EXPERIENCED GOER:
- How is your language learning going? Are you becoming more fluent?
- Tell me about some people you’ve met. How did you meet them? What do you do together?
- What is something that worries or concerns you right now?
- What is something that energizes you?
- How do you get around the city? Have you ever gotten lost?
- Is your team functioning well? If not, why?
- What is God (Father, He) teaching you about yourself?
QUESTIONS TO ASK ANYTIME:
- Is there anything specific we can pray (lift, ask) about?
- Are you feeling cared for by your team/your sending organization?
- What could we do to make you feel loved?
- Is there anything we do or say that is unhelpful?
- What is something you look forward to each day?
- What Bible (Good Book, Word) verses are really meaningful lately? Why?
- What is something you are thankful for?
Intelligently interacting with our kids will help us feel in the loop and help them to feel valued. We allow our kids thrive when we support what they do. We support what they do by becoming interested and involved in their lives. Hopefully, these questions help you to learn about your Goer in a whole new way as you bridge the miles (and maybe misunderstandings) between you.
Happy Chatting!
*As always, be careful to use safe language when talking over email, video chat, and messaging apps.
November 4, 2022
Parents of Goers 