Cross-cultural life can be challenging, but laughter has a way of lightening the load and keeping hope alive. In this episode, Denise and Sarah chat with Katelyn Comer from the Velvet Ashes Instagram team, the creative mind behind our beloved Friday Funnies. Katelyn shares some fun behind-the-scenes stories and reflects on the importance of humor in her life. Plus, Denise and Sarah give us a sneak peek into the next exciting Velvet Ashes book project. Don't miss out on the joy and inspiration in this episode!

Katelyn, along with her husband Aaron, and kids Addie (15) and Dean (12), serve in the island country of St Kitts and Nevis. They have been working in recovery and prison ministry, as well as pastoring an international church full of mostly medical and veterinary students. Katelyn loves beach days, any kind of time with friends, and laughing as much as possible. She has been volunteering for Velvet Ashes for nearly 7 years, and is honored to be a part of the team in such a unique way - Instagram Friday Funnies.

Follow Katelyn on Instagram

Follow Velvet Ashes on Instagram or Facebook and look for more information about book submissions opening soon, or email book@velvetashes.com.

Yet We Still Hope book

This was such a fun conversation with Karli - composting toilets, the beauty of Florence, when you don't love where you live, and so much more.

Karli Von Herbulis is a joyful wife, blessed mama, and resident of Kigali, Rwanda. You can find her zipping through books, cooking a fun meal, or podcasting at Third Culture Thriving.

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

Third Culture Thriving

Summer Live Featuring Karli

EMDR therapy definition

Taking Route

Thrive Retreats

VA Spiritual Directors

Valeo

TCT episodes on hiring house help - 7 & 9

Karli's blog posts

Streams in the Desert was published in 1924 and has never gone out of print. This devotional was written by Lettie Burd Cowman (1870-1960), an incredible woman who helped found OMS and eventually served as its president. Learn more about Lettie's story this month from our special guest, Michelle Ule!

Michelle Ule is the author of two biographies: Overflowing Faith: Lettie Cowman and Streams in the Desert and Mrs. Oswald Chambers: The Woman Behind the World’s Bestselling Devotional. She is also an essayist, a long-time blogger, and a bestselling author of inspirational historical novellas. A 40-year Bible study teacher in various Christian settings and denominations, she studied English Literature at UCLA and trained as a reporter. Michelle is also an amateur genealogist. She lives with her family in Northern California.

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠

Featured music is "Daughters and Sons" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

Get in touch with Dr. Laura Chevalier Beer at laura.chevalierbeer@velvetashes.com to share thoughts on Legacy stories or suggest a woman to highlight.

Michelle's website includes more information and links to learn more about Lettie Cowman.

We are grateful to ⁠⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

When Amy Young sent out an anonymous survey in January 2024, over 350 global workers responded. She asked this question, "Is there something you feel might jeopardize you staying on the field, if your senders or organization knew about it?"

Amy joined Denise this month to talk about the results of the survey, and the importance of both senders and goers talking about the hard things we often don't tackle.

Amy Young, MA, LPC loves a good story. She served in China for nearly 20 years (plenty of stories there!), cofounded Velvet Ashes, and founded Global Trellis. As the founder Global Trellis, her current story involves helping Great Commission workers have tended souls and growing skill sets. Amy is a sought-after speaker and has spoken hundreds of times around the globe. Amy’s written six books for Great Commission workers including Looming Transitions and Becoming More Fruitful in Cross-Cultural Work. She loves all things Denver Broncos, Kansas Jayhawks, and Diet Coke.

We are grateful to ⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠

Featured music is "Daughters and Sons" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

Global Trellis Senders Webinar and Discussion Guide

Global Trellis Goers Webinar

Taking Down the Ministry Pedestal

We recommend Barnabas or Valeo for counseling options specifically for global workers.

We are so grateful for Betsy's honesty and courage as she shares her story of her husband's porn addiction. We trust this episode will leave you filled with hope, whether you are married or single, on the field or off. While not graphic, this episode isn't suitable for little ears. We also know Betsy's story and this topic might be triggering, so all the grace to you to listen when you are ready. Please see the notes below for resources.

We are grateful to ⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠

Featured music is "Daughters and Sons" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

Betsy's Recommended Resources - books, podcasts, and counseling options

The story of the spread of the gospel in China can't be told without the women who were really the driving force behind the movement. But all too often, their legacies are lost to the pages of history. We are so grateful to our guest this month, Dr. Daryl Ireland, for honoring these special women and helping us understand the history and context for their stories. This episode is special because Daryl is our first male guest on the podcast!

Don't miss our bonus episode for this month, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the Velvet Ashes Retreat. Learn more about the retreat HERE.

Learn more about ⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠

Featured music is "Daughters and Sons" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

Get in touch with Dr. Laura Chevalier Beer at laura.chevalierbeer@velvetashes.com to share thoughts on Legacy stories or suggest a woman to highlight.

Learn more about the Chinese Bible Women

Dora Yu (Yu Cidu)

Mary Stone (Shi Meiyu , 石美玉)

Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity

Article about the Chinese Bible Women in Christianity Today

Pioneer Chinese Christian Women

Silas Wu, Dora Yu and the Christian Revival in 20th-Century China. We are grateful to ⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

The Velvet Ashes Online Retreat creates sacred space for you and Jesus. This month we are bringing you a special bonus episode of the podcast where Denise sits down with Danielle Wheeler, Velvet Ashes Director of Spiritual Development. Danielle gives you a peek behind the curtain as she shares the intentional way these retreats are curated.

April is retreat month and we can't wait to see what God has in store. It's not too late to join! Learn more at velvetashes.com.

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠

Featured music is "Daughters and Sons" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

Polyvagal Chart

From Broken to Beloved: A Journey of Awakening by Terry Wardle

This is one of those "we're going there" conversations. Denise and Sarah invite you in as they cover topics like spiritual abuse, wilderness seasons, harm caused in missions, and whether the good news is still good. We want to create safe space for you if you have also wrestled with questions and haven't felt like you have someone to share them with. Join us at our virtual coffee shop for this conversation.

We are grateful to ⁠Barnabas International⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠here⁠.

Learn more about ⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠

Featured music is "Daughters and Sons" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

Savior Complex

The Mission

Through Gates of Splendor

Spiritual Abuse webinar

Gen Z webinar

Story of Paul and Silas in Prison - Acts 16

Dr. Lauren Pinkston - Kindred Exchange

Wilderness conversations on Velvet Ashes

Episode 20 Conversation with Jen

Mobilizing Gen Z book

Velvet Ashes Olive Retreat