The following books contain information expanding on material in each of the major parts of this book. All of these books are in print, all cost less than $25.00, and more than half of them cost less than $15.00. If you cannot find them at a bookstore, you can purchase these books online at www.amazon.com and/or www.mti.org. You can also order from MTI by mail, by fax, or by phone. Many of the books are available at both Amazon and MTI so compare prices, shipping charges, etc. The prices given below are list prices, in some cases the discounts are significant, and shipping may be free if you buy enough books.
Part 1. Beginning with Basics
Honourably Wounded: Stress among Christian Workers. Marjorie Foyle, Evangelical Missions Information Service, Monarch Books, Grand Rapids MI, 2001 (ISBN 0-8254-6023-9) $14.95; 14 chapters, 288 pages. Written by a missionary psychiatrist with a lifetime of missionary service in India, this book offers a broad overview of many topics gathered under the general topic of stress. Written for practical self-help, this is the best general book to buy if you can afford only one.
Re-Entry: Making the Transition from Missions to Life at Home. Peter Jordan, Youth With a Mission, Seattle, WA, 1992 (ISBN 0-927545-40-3) $9.99; 8 chapters,, 150 pages. A veteran missionary suggests some things you can do before you ever go into missions, others you can do as the time to return approaches, and still others you can do as you actually re-enter. This book is relevant for everyone from the short-term first timer to the veteran missionary.
The Art of Coming Home. Craig Storti. (2002).Intercultural Press, Yarmouth, ME. (ISBN 1-877864-47-1) $19.95; 5 chapters, 203 pages. Written by a Peace Corps volunteer specializing in cross-cultural adjustment and repatriation, this book includes sections for the spouse and children as well as sections for exchange students, volunteers, military, and missionaries.
Homeward Bound: A Spouse’s Guide to Repatriation. Robin Pascoe, Expatriate Press, North Vancouver, BC, Canada, 2000 (ISBN 0-9686760-0-6) $16.95: 7 chapters, 192 pages, index. Although most of the examples are of women reentering with their husbands, the same issues arise if the husband has gone overseas to follow his wife in her career.
After the Boxes Are Unpacked: Moving on After Moving in. Susan Miller, Tyndale, Wheaton, IL 1995 (ISBN 1-56179-405-8) $10.99; 19 chapters, 165 pages. Although this was written for women moving in our mobile society, it is applicable to returning missionary wives as well.
The Reentry Team: Caring for Your Returning Missionaries. Neal Pirolo, Emmaus Road International: San Diego, CA, 2000 (ISBN 1-800185-07-5) $8.99; 10 chapters, 319 pages. Though written for people caring for missionaries, missionaries themselves would profit from reading it. The book contains many reentry stories written by missionaries as well as a solid Scriptural foundation and further resources.
Part 2. Everyday Challenges
Psychology of Missionary Adjustment. Marge Jones with E. Grant Jones, Logion Press, Springfield, MO, 1995 (ISBN 0-88243-321-0) $12.95; 11 chapters, 173 pages, index. Although useful for missionaries at any stage in life because it covers mental health issues from call to retirement, it is probably most useful to relatively new missionaries. The author, a missionary for nearly four decades, notes that the book was written to help missionaries persevere through the second, third, fourth and even fifth terms.
Frontline Women: Negotiating Crosscultural Issues in Ministry. Marguerite G. Kraft (Ed.), William Carey Library, Pasadena, CA, 2003 (ISBN 0-87808-356-1) $16.99; 12 chapters, 11 contributors, 225 pages. index. Written mostly by women for women, this book covers many women’s issues including stress, roles, loneliness, life-style, self-image, marginality and the demonic. As noted in the forward, women need to read this book to be encouraged and men need to read it and wake up.
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, When to Say No, To Take Control of Your Life. Henry Cloud and John Townsend, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1992 (ISBN 0-310-58590-2) $14.99; 16 chapters, 304 pages, index. The title says it all, and you understand that if you are letting other people control your life.
Healing for Damaged Emotions. David A. Seamands, Chariot Victor Publishing, Wheaton, IL, 1991 (ISBN 0-89693-938-3) $10.99; 12 chapters, 144 pages. Written by a missionary/pastor/ professor, this book looks at the effect of memories of events in the past that have never been faced and result in anger guilt, depression, inferiority and perfectionism. We can find freedom from this lingering emotional pain that continues to effect us.
Part 3. Challenges That May Become Serious Problems
Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide (Rev. ed.). Gary R. Collins, Word Publishing, Dallas, TX, 1988 (ISBN 0-8499-3124-X) $24.99; 38 chapters, 711 pages, index. Written by a prominent Christian psychologist to help Christian leaders in their counseling, it is a good source for anyone who wants a clearer understanding of human behavior and the biblical basis of counseling. The book covers personal, developmental, interpersonal, identity, family and other issues.
Part 4. Family and Sexuality
The New Dare to Discipline. James Dobson, Tyndale House, Wheaton, IL, 1992 (ISBN 0-8423-0506-8) $12,99; 11 chapters, 277 pages. This is the classic book by the well known host of Focus on the Family. It has sold millions of copies and remains an excellent source of information about child rearing.
The Wounded Heart: Hope for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse. Dan B. Allender, NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO, 1990 (ISBN 0-89109-289-7) $16.00; 13 chapters, 301 pages. This book offers guidance in the middle of the confusion, rage and fear of those who have been sexually abused as children. Though you may not realize it, someone you know has been sexually abused, and this book will help.
Don’t Pig Out on Junk Food: The MK’s Guide to Survival in the U. S. Alma D. Gordon, Evangelical Missions Information Service, Wheaton, IL, 1993 (ISBN 0-9617751-1-4) $12.95; 6 chapters, 160 pages, index. Written for MKs by a fourth-generation MK, this book offers helpful practical advice from MKs to MKs about all aspects of transition to the USA, from preparation to identity to relationships. Each chapter includes great illustrations, questions for reflection, and work sheets.
Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up among Worlds. David C. Pollock and Ruth E. Van Reken, Intercultural Press, Yarmouth, ME , 2001 (ISBN 1-877864-72-2) $19.95; 18 chapters, 333 pages. Written by authors with many years of experience working with TCKs, this book not only reveals what TCKs are like, but goes on to devote 7 chapters telling how to maximize the benefits of being a TCK.
Between Worlds: Essays on Culture and Belonging. Marilyn R. Gardner, Doorlight Publications www.doorlightpubs.com. 2014 (ISBN 0-9838653-8-8) $17.95; 7 chapters, 231 pages. Written by a TCK, a missionary, and a mother of 5 children born on three continents, this book I is written from experience and the author is expresses open and vulnerable. Excellent for TCKs trying to understand themselves.
Raising Global Nomads: Parenting in an On-Demand World. Robin Pascoe, Expatriate Press, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 2006 (ISBN 0-9686760-3-0) $24.95; 10 chapters, 230 pages, appendix. Written by the mother of TCKS, this book is filled with personal experiences as well as much practical advice on living in other cultures. Much has changed in our world since 1993 when the author wrote her parents guide. This update considers implications for TCKs growing up outside their passport culture in this globalized, digitized, terrorized world.
When Abroad—Do as the Local Children Do: Ori’s Guide for Young Expats. Hilly van Swol-Ulbrich, & Bettina Kaltenhauser. XPat Media, the Netherlands, 2002 (ISBN 90-5594-262-6) $15.95; 9 chapters, 105 pages, information for parents. Written for children ages 8-12, this guide for living another culture follows Ori, a migrating bird, through transitions. In addition to activities and assignments, this book also has additional information on Ori’s website to complete the interactive format of the book.
Families on the Move: Growing Up Overseas—and Loving It! Evangelical Missions Information Service, Monarch Books, Grand Rapids MI, 2001 (ISBN 0-8454-6018-2) $10.99; 9 chapters, 189 pages. Written by a missionary, this gives readable practical advice on living abroad from the time they consider going to the time they return.
Fitted Pieces: A Guide for Parents Educating Children Overseas. Janet R. Blomberg and David F. Brooks, Share Education Services, St. Clair Shores, MI, 2001 (ISBN not available) $22.50, 8 Chapters, 667 Pages. With 84 articles (50 from Interact) appearing in the eight chapters, this is without question the most comprehensive book available on the education of third culture kids. It is a valuable resource for people considering the education of their children overseas.
Part 5. Relationships with Others
Ministering Cross-Culturally: An Incarnational Model for Personal Relationships. Sherwood G. Lingenfelter & Marvin K. Mayers, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1986 (ISBN 0-8010-5632-2) $9.99; 9 chapters, 125 pages. Two missionary-professors developed this questionnaire/model that results in a personal profile on twelve basic values that often result in disagreements between people, even people from the same culture.
Caring Enough to Confront: How to Understand and Express Your Deepest Feelings Toward others (Rev. ed.). David Augsburger, Regal Books, Ventura, CA, 1981 (ISBN 0-8307-0733-6) $12.99; 10 chapters, 143 pages. A professor of pastoral counseling shows you how to be a peacemaker by “care-fronting” someone with whom you have a conflict. It is effective when used with people from western cultures.
Cross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective Ministry. Duane Elmer, InterVaristy Press, Downers Grov e, IL, 1994 (ISBN 0-8308-1657-7) $13,00; 12 chapters, 189 pages. A missionary-professor contrasts handling conflicts the American way with handling them in other cultures. This is useful for maintaining relationships with missionaries from other cultures as well as nationals to whom you are ministering.
Building Credible Multicultural Teams. Lianne Roembke. William Carey Library,, Pasadena, CA . 2000 (ISBN 0-87808-340-5) $17.99; 7 chapters, 285 pages, index. Written by a missionary with more than 30 years experience, this book is theoretically sound as well as very practical. It is a valuable resource for anyone working on a multicultural team.
Part 6. Caring for Missionaries
Serving as Senders: How to Care for Your Missionaries While They Are Preparing to Go, While They Are on the Field, When They Return Home, Neal Pirolo, San Diego, CA, 1991 (ISBN 1-880185-00-8) $7.95, 8 chapters, 207 pages. This book is for people in the local church. If your supporting churches ask what they can do to help, give them a copy of this.
Enhancing Missionary Vitality: Mental Health Professions Serving Global Mission. John R. Powell and Joyce M. Bowers. (Editors). Mission Training International, Palmer Lake, CO 2002 (ISBN 0-942726-03-0) $24.95, 56 chapters, 499 pages, index. This book is written basically about North American missionaries by people who attend the annual Conference on Mental Health & Missions. Although written by and for mental health professionals, many of the chapters are of interest to missionaries themselves.
Doing Member Care Well: Perspectives and Practices from around the World. Kelly O’Donnell (Editor), William Carey Library, Pasadena, CA 2002 (ISBN 0-87808-446-0) $24.99; 50 chapters, 566 pages, index. Written by authors from around the world, this book gives an introduction to member care context in the Part 1. Part 2 considers regional issues in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Arabic world. Part 3 considers many types of member care from caring for oneself to care from specialists.
Part 7. Ending Well
The Joys of Successful Aging: Finishing with Grace. George Sweeting, Northfield Publishing, Chicago, IL 2002 (ISBN 1-881273-13-X) $16.99; 12 Chapters, 141 pages. This book is a short, easily read book with lots of humor, which itself is a necessary requisite for successful aging.