• About
  • Newsletter
  • Give
  • Missionary Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Our Goodwin Journey

A journey of life and work in Africa

  • About
  • Newsletter
  • Give
  • Missionary Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact

Challenges

Finding the Courage to Ask for Help

I was sitting at my desk, on a call with a friend, and she asked, “Where have you been?” I wasn’t sure exactly what she meant… South Africa? Working? Homeschooling my girls? She said, “Well, another friend at church was asking about you because we don’t see you online much anymore. We see brief updates …

Filed Under: Challenges, Health 5 Comments

all this because

All This Because

It must have been a verse that was used in our overseas training or in a long ago chapel service as we prepared to begin our overseas career. I don’t remember the speaker or the moment I first heard this version of it. I’m not sure who I was sitting with or what I wore …

Filed Under: Challenges, How You Live 5 Comments

Things to Remember in the Unknown

5 Things to Remember in the Unknown

As we search for things to remember in the unknown, there may not be a more iconic Bible story than Noah’s Ark. This story brings cute, animal-filled arks that decorate nurseries in churches and homes alike. The sweet tiny animals can be found in toy isles, children’s books and coloring pages. We might think the …

Filed Under: Challenges, Devotions, How You Live Leave a Comment

A Look Back at Lessons from 2020

A Look Back at Lessons from 2020

If someone had sat me down in January 2020 and told me what the year would hold, I would not have believed them. It would have seemed so incredibly out there that I would have laughed and wondered what bad pizza they ate the night before. A worldwide pandemic? Closed borders? Frantic embassy emails warning …

Filed Under: Challenges, Devotions Leave a Comment

Tips for health issues and medical needs overseas

Tips for Handling Health Issues and Medical Needs Overseas

It was a busy, fun 4th of July picnic at our house with our team and a few other worker friends. I was not thinking about health issues or medical needs. It was a holiday after all! I was doing some last minute prep for Jeremy who was grilling outside when Annalise came in the …

Filed Under: Challenges, Health, Travel 4 Comments

A Soft Strength - Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

A Soft Strength – Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

I wrote about stepping outside your comfort zone a few years ago and it was originally published on Grit & Virtue for International Women’s Day. This year, I thought I’d republish here for you. Learning to keep a soft strength while also learning to step outside your comfort zone, do big things for God and …

Filed Under: Challenges, Devotions, Unplowed Ground 3 Comments

Building Resilience - How to Return, Recover and Rebound

How to Return, Recover and Rebound

There are moments in our lives for building resilience in ways we never expected or knew we needed. Moments that remind us to trust, hope and move forward in faith. One such moment happened on our flight from West Africa to Michigan at the end of our first term overseas. We only had about 20 …

Filed Under: Challenges, Get Joy, Health Leave a Comment

Unexpected Sacrifices - When sacrifice has a new meaning

Unexpected Sacrifices

When I think of the word sacrifice, I picture many different things. I see Abraham with his knife raised obediently over his son. I can picture a long line of people waiting for a priest as he makes preparations to offer the next lamb on their behalf. I see Elijah who called down fire from …

Filed Under: Challenges, Unplowed Ground 6 Comments

Not Your Average Headache in Married Life Overseas

Not Your Average Headache

The topic of intimacy in married life is not the easiest thing to talk about let alone write up a whole post and throw it on the world wide web for all to see. We may joke about that side of married life with a sister-in-law or whisper about our questions with a friend while …

Filed Under: Challenges, Marriage 1 Comment

Next Page »

Footer

Everyday Moments

I’m still here. The days are busy and I’m learning that to get all the things done with daily fatigue, it’s taking some new skills, lots of naps and pacing my energy in new ways. This year is off to quite a start but embracing what God is doing, the plans he has in store and accepting his grace to cover it all. New mercies, deep love and abiding Presence, one day at a time. Happy February ♥️ #chezgoodwin #getjoy #happysunday #birthdaymonth
Another morning of helping a friend with admin… This time, deciphering a massive application for funding to help an early education program that serves kids and gives them a chance to thrive with the right tools in place to learn and grow. #buggingyouteam… you’re a part of all these everyday, real moments! @chandramarqueznoviskie, I loved helping you today! #overseaslife #behindtheprayercard #getjoy #adminfun
Happy 18th Birthday @msanniemak @listhedoodlebeast!! You are as amazing as all those tiny purple pedals, creative, unique, artsy and so, so fun. We love you!! #birthdaygirl #jacaranda #thirdculturekid #goodwingirls #seniorpictures #senior2023
I truly don’t know where the time went but this tiny cutie turns 18 tomorrow! Swipe to see the fun birthday present she got today. @msanniemak #birthdaygirl #goodwingirls #pinkhairdontcare #allgrownup

Giving – Click Below

Encouraging Resources for Overseas Life

Follow Us

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

Support Us and Shop Amazon

Privacy Policy Copyright © 2023 · Our Goodwin Journey · All Rights Reserved Terms of Use