Bethany DuVal, Author at TEAM Christian Missions Blog

Hope Amid Death: COVID-19 Ministry in Latin America

COVID-19 hasn't stopped God's work! From aid packages to medical evacuations, see how God is using missionaries in Latin America!

May 14 2020

“Leche!” shouts a little boy. He grabs the can of milk out of a bag and starts hugging and kissing it. Missionaries pitch in to buy a coffin so their friend can be buried in the cemetery instead of a mass COVID-19 grave. Churches pool their money and start committees to provide food for the neediest families in their neighborhoods. When the new coronavirus turned into a pandemic, many people wondered, “Will COVID-19 put global missions on hold?” And while missions does look a bit different these days, we’re happy to report that God is still working to transform lives. …

The next time missionary kids come to visit your church, use some of these great tips to make them feel welcome. We got them straight from missionary parents!

Apr 22 2020

For most of us, missionary kids are an anomaly of life. They come to our churches for a year or a single Sunday while their parents are on home assignment. And we hardly get to know them before they leave again for the mission field. But on the Global Missions Podcast, TEAM Missionary Kid Coordinator Valerie Williams explains why these kids need your love — and how you can impact their lives in just one church visit. Listen to the podcast episode to find out: What “home” means to missionary kids What to do before missionary kids come for a…

After his Bible was stolen, Diyar spent decades searching for another one. How would he find one without knowing any Christians?

Apr 16 2020

Thirty years ago, Diyar owned the most powerful book in the world. He didn’t fully understand it. It went against everything he’d ever heard about God. And he knew he had to find its meaning. But the book was too powerful to go unnoticed, especially in Diyar’s Middle Eastern country. Someone discovered Diyar’s book and stole it from him. Diyar tried everything he could to find another copy, but it was impossible. Impossible, until his wife, Talora, attended an ordinary wedding. A “Chance” Encounter Talora didn’t expect anything unusual to happen at the wedding. But as she got ready, a…

Why returning missionaries need you more than ever

Feb 26 2020

When Karyn left for the mission field, she thought she’d never return. She gave up her job as a high school English teacher and planned to retire in Japan. But 19 years in, things took a turn. Personal matters brought Karyn back to the U.S. By then, her teacher’s certificate had expired. She didn’t have money for a new certification. And the entire process of finding a job had moved from newspaper ads to online job boards. It was a crushing experience — but a familiar one to many returning missionaries. Ask missionaries about coming home, and they may…

Simson led the Bible translation team for the Hatam Bible. Here he sits at his desk.

Simson was desperate for a Hatam-language Bible. But he never imagined he would join — and ultimately lead — the Bible translation team that made it happen.

Jan 13 2020

Imagine this: You’re on an island, and you can only keep a few Bible verses. The rest will be wiped from your memory. Which verses do you choose? Give it just a little thought, and the question quickly becomes complicated. You could use up all the verses on explaining Gospel. But what about God’s character? What pleases God? How does He think of you? How should you relate to others in light of Christ? Even if you had years to choose, you would agonize over what you were missing. But you might understand a little of what Simson Dowansiba felt….

Gerald's gambling addiction ruined his life, but thanks to friends like you, Gerald was plugged into a church that showed him a new way.

Dec 25 2019

How do you know when your gambling habit’s gotten out of hand? Probably when you stop coming home . . . for three months straight. Gerald had a mind for greatness. He started his business at a young age and quickly earned millions in pesos, the Philippines’ currency. He had more than enough to support a wife and two sons. It’s no wonder Gerald thought a little gambling at the casino would be harmless. However, his great mind didn’t prepare him for how gambling sucks people in and takes over their lives. Gerald stopped coming home for three months. He…

Two Italian women walk along the waterline.

Francesca was doing all the right things — praying, reading Scripture, going to church. But she still couldn't find the peace she saw in her evangelical friends.

Oct 15 2019

Francesca felt like she was going to explode — and being around Christians only made things worse. They were so happy and peaceful. They prayed like they really knew God and shared Bible verse with real conviction. But when Francesca tried the same things, it all fell flat. It wasn’t just her Catholic church that was the problem. Francesca had tried going to church with the evangelicals. She read Scripture. She prayed. She even went to extra Bible studies with her church friends. So why did Francesca’s evangelical friends have so much peace while she just felt tired and upset?…

Julio and Libia sit together and study the Bible.

You would never guess that Julio and LIbia were once bitter enemies. Keep reading to see the amazing way God worked in their lives!

Aug 21 2019

On Sunday mornings, Libia and Julio don’t look like anything special. Just two close friends worshiping God, maybe imagining their future together. You would never guess that this time last year, they wouldn’t speak to each other — much less be in the same room together. Or that they were bitter enemies for five long years. The fact that they happily sit together at church now? TEAM missionary Dawn Moore says it’s nothing short of a miracle. Peruvian Couple Seeks Better Life in States Libia and Julio’s relationship was complicated from the beginning. They both grew up in Peru as…

Image: Woman interviewing a returning missionary. Text reads: How to pitch your ministry skills in the secular workforce

Aug 07 2019

If you’re looking for a job, you’ve probably heard this advice: Just reframe your job skills to fit the job you’re looking at! But if you’re like a lot of missionaries, you probably have this lingering feeling that other people just don’t get it. What value could the business world see in leading a home Bible study? Or raising kids in a foreign country? Or planting a church? Or any number of other ministries? Well, today you’re going to find out. Recently, I talked with career coaches, HR experts and former missionaries to create a solid list of transferrable…

A basketball coach stands with a basketball on his hip as he watches campers run basketball drills.

Basketball camp was enough to get Rico and Carmelo interested, but a missionary's willingness to answer their questions is what really made an impact.

Jun 17 2019

Rico and Carmelo may have been cousins, but they could hardly be more different. Where Rico was quiet and serious, Carmelo always had something to say — and it was often a joke. But they did share two things in common: a love of basketball and a longing for real answers about their faith. Like most Italians, the boys grew up in the Catholic Church. It was a critical part of their culture. But when a kid asked their priests questions, they were often met with a similar refrain: You don’t need to be thinking about that. Thankfully, friends like…

Author - Bethany DuVal

Hope Amid Death: COVID-19 Ministry in Latin America

Helping Missionary Kids Thrive on Home Assignment

One Man’s 30-Year Search for a Bible

8 Ways to Serve Missionaries Coming Home

On an Island Without the Bible

Ruined by Gambling, Redeemed by Christ

11 Years of Church Couldn’t Give Her Peace

Bitter Enemies Reunited in Christ

12 Job Skills Missionaries Gain on the Mission Field

From Basketball Drills to Bible Studies