Texting Platforms
- If you and your child both have iPhones, iMessage will probably work the best for you for texting. iMessage is an internet-based texting platform. This means that anytime you or your Goer has internet access (or Wifi), an iMessage can be sent/received.
- If you have an Android device, regular texting may still work if both parties have cell service available at their locations.
- We have also found these internet-based texting/social media apps to be helpful. Some offer Wifi calling as well: Whatsapp, Wechat, Google Hangouts, and Facebook Messenger.
Video Platforms
- If you and your child both have iPhones, FaceTime can be a fun way to “see” each other often. Try it the next time you call. You can use many of the internet-based texting platforms listed above for video calls as well.
- Our family has really enjoyed a video chat app called Marco Polo. It is a free way to leave a video for a family member or friend. The receiver can watch this “message” at any time, or multiple times an hour if it is from their grandchild. They can respond at their leisure. Marco Polo also allows you to create chatting groups to share videos with the whole family or friend group.
- Snapchat is a similar media sharing platform except that once the user opens the message, it disappears. The photo, video, or meme is only available for a short time before it becomes inaccessible (unlike Marco Polo videos, which are stored on the app).
- For longer calls or weekly/monthly video chats try Skype, Zoom, or Google Meet.
Apps for Flying and Traveling Abroad
- iFly.com lets you specify an airport and then guides you to it and through it.
- flightaware.com provides real-time, worldwide flight traffic data—very helpful for discovering whether your flight is on time.
- OFX.com is for international money transfer and currency exchange.
- Duolingo.com is a fun app you can install on your phone to learn a new language.
- Rosettastone.com is a language learning program that I found to be very helpful.
Apps to Help you Gift your Goer
- Venmo.com helps you send fun money to your child.
- Netflix.com subscriptions can help them stay in touch with their favorite shows.
- Audible.com subscriptions provide a library of audio books—give them something to listen to while walking to school or riding on the subway.
- iTunes at apple.com may also be music to your Goer’s ears.
- An electronic Kindle book from Amazon.com may enable you to have a book club with your child or grandchild.
- Maybe your Goer prefers a quick read instead. Zinio.com offers over 6,000 online magazines.
- Want to go big? Try the Tinngly.com Experience Gifts for a never-to-be-forgotten adventure.
Websites and Articles
Missions
- imb.org Check out the free courses from the International Mission Board at imb.pathwright.com/library/
- joshuaproject.net This site gives detailed information on people groups who still need to hear the gospel of Jesus. It is a great site to help you learn about the people within your child’s host country.
- operationworld.org Operation World describes itself as “The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation” and offers to send you a daily email helping you to pray specifically for nations one day at a time.
- perspectives.org Perspectives is the 15-week class on World Missions that I mentioned in Chapter 2. Offered in a variety of churches, it will expand your understanding of Missions and the world.
Stayers and Goers
This site features posts from current and former missionaries and cross-cultural workers. I have found it super helpful, and it has enabled me to get a glimpse of the Goers’ experience.
• Parents of Missionaries Ministry through ABWE (Association of Baptists for World Evangelism)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/606009594224510
The Parents of Missionaries (POM) ministry exists to come alongside the missionary by offering support, resources, and events that address the specific challenges faced by parents of missionaries.
- Rachel Pieh Jones on safety. These are great articles for parents who ask about the safety of their children or grandchildren.
- Parents: Prepare Your Children for Missions, Even When It’s Risky. Article by Ed Stetzer
- The Greatest Hurdle Most Missionaries Face. Article by Darren Carlson.
- How to Honor Your Parents When You’re Called to Missions. Article by Debbie Stephens.
- Family Support: The Special Role Parents Play in Missions. Article by Crosswalk.
- “When God Says Go and They Say No!” Article by Ellen Livingood.
Books
Books for Stayers:
- Parents of Missionaries by Cheryl Savageau and Diane Stortz
- I Never Signed Up For This by Ann Bowman
- Parents as Partners, a free e-book by The International Mission Board
Books about Missions:
- Operation World by Jason Mandryk
- The 3D Gospel: Ministry in Guilt, Shame, and Fear Cultures by Jayson Georges
Kids Books about Missions:
- Window on the World: When We Pray God Works by Molly Wall and Jason Mandryk
- Parenting with a Global Vision by Weave Families ( a 6-week study for parents and kids)
- Trailblazer Books by Dave and Neta Jackson (kids’ books about missionaries and evangelists)
Books/Audio Player about Grandparenting from Afar
- Amah Faraway by Margaret Chiu Greanias and Tracy Subisak
- Grandpa Across the Ocean by Hyewon Yum
- Long Distance Grandma by Janet Teitsort
- Storypod This isn’t a book, but it is an screen-free audio play system designed just for kids. It comes with a “craftie” (a small plush character–there are many to choose from) which is a redordable. Recordables let you record over 80 minutes in your own voice using the Storypod app to delight of your little ones. If you download the app, you can record several books/songs/Bible verses for your grands to listen to while they are abroad. This has been really fun for our family.
Missionary Biographies
- God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew and John and Elizabeth Sherrill
- Tramp for the Lord by Corrie ten Boom and Jamie Buckingham
- Made for the Journey: One Missionary’s First Year in the Jungles of Ecuador by Elisabeth Elliot
Books on Transitions and Emotional Health
- Barbara and Susan’s Guide to the Empty Nest by Barbara Rainey and Susan Yates
- Lost in the Middle by Paul David Tripp
- The Emotionally Healthy Woman: Eight Things You Have to Quit to Change Your Life by Geri Scazzero
- Made for More: An Invitation to Live in God’s Image by Hannah Anderson
Parents of Goers 