Jessica Purdy, Author at TEAM Christian Missions Blog

TEAM Eats: Salmorejo

Tomato soup isn’t just for cold fall days anymore! Cool off this summer with a cool and refreshing bowl of salmorejo, from Spain.

Aug 28 2020

After a short-term mission trip to Spain, Lauren Witteveen decided she had to come back and continue the work. And with a tiny evangelical population in Spain, TEAM missionaries like Lauren have their work cut out for them! Lauren spends much of her time building relationships and studying Spanish, and the linguistic and cultural disconnects can be exhausting. So, on those long, hot Spanish days, Lauren likes to cool off with a nice bowl of salmorejo. This tomato soup dish has been a favorite since Lauren’s first visit to Spain. But even more than their food, Lauren loves the Spanish…

Money and face mask to illustrate raising missionary support during COVID-19

Raising missionary support is intimidating enough under normal circumstances. What do you need to know about doing during COVID-19? Photo by Bermix Studio.

Jul 08 2020

Support raising is one of the most daunting parts of becoming a missionary — especially during an economic downturn. But according to TEAM stewardship coach Jennifer Nickels, it doesn’t have to be. With the right perspective, she says, raising missionary support can actually be a blessing. We sat down with Nickels to find out how to view support raising as a ministry and do it successfully in the midst of a global crisis. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Raising support is often one of the most intimidating parts of becoming a missionary. Why do you think…

Missionaries do so much to serve their communities — and so do their kids! This month will you join us in praying for these kids and the unique challenges they face?

Jul 01 2020

As a missionary kid, Allison got an early education on serving others. So, when the fifth-grader noticed there were a lot of homeless dogs and people in the area, she wanted to help! Allison tried to bring a stray dog home so she could take care of him, but that didn’t work. So then she decided to start her own ministry. She called it “Snow Angel.” Allison’s ministry focused on helping the homeless by collecting donations. She put donated mittens, gloves, hats and socks in gift bags and started passing them out to homeless people on the streets. “[Allison], like…

In the Summer of 2019, violent protests in Papua left burning buildings in their wake — but these protests also led to a surprising friendship.

Mar 11 2020

People barricaded the streets. They threw stones at local businesses. They set buildings on fire. The people of Papua, Indonesia, were not happy, and they wanted the government to know. As TEAM missionaries serving in Papua, Devon and Katie Hayes thought it best to keep a low profile during the protests. They tried to avoid big groups of people in the streets and parks. And eventually, the Indonesian government sent military troops to clean up the situation. Devon and Katie warned their sons Seth (age 6) and Nick (age 3) about what was going on. But kids aren’t necessarily concerned…

Every step of the missionary journey needs prayer — even the steps taken before someone knows they'll become a missionary. Learn how to pray for future missionaries!

Mar 02 2020

Every missionary begins the same way: an ordinary Christian who is not a missionary — and who needs a lot of prayer to get them to the field. This month, we’re praying for future missionaries. These missionaries range from people who are raising the last of their support, to people who may not even know that God wants them on the mission field. For ideas on how to pray, we talked with current missionaries about their experiences before they became missionaries. Despite ending up in completely different parts of the world, a lot of them went through similar things to…

This Pakistani curry is creamy, nutty and all kinds of delicious. Check out the recipe for a taste of culture your family will love.

Feb 20 2020

Today’s recipe comes all the way from missionaries in Pakistan. This delightfully saucy chicken curry is packed with deep flavors and spices that all meld together to create a warm, nutty taste. And unlike many Pakistani dishes, this one isn’t super spicy, making it a great introduction to the country’s cuisine. If you enjoy flavorful food that does not singe your tastebuds, you’ll love this chicken curry! As you cook, take some time to pray for fellow believers in Pakistan. In this part of the world, Christians experience extreme persecution. Churches are often vandalized and Christians can be beaten and…

Pregnancy is uniquely challenging when you live abroad. See how one missionary navigated this challenge, and what she learned in the process. (Stock photo)

Dec 09 2019

Pregnancy — it can be a beautiful thing, but it can also be a stressful experience. Finding a doctor, learning new things, growing a human. But for missionaries, the stress is often multiplied. They have to navigate all of the challenges and logistics of being pregnant while living in a foreign country! Some families decide to stay on the field to have their baby, and some decide it’s best to go back home. How do you know what’s best? One TEAM missionary shared her story and the valuable lessons she learned. Finding Out You’re Pregnant Claire and her husband were…

Aşure (or Noah's ark pudding) is a Middle Eastern dessert with a bit of everything in it! Check out the recipe our missionaries shared with us.

Nov 22 2019

This month our recipe is the Turkish dish Aşure (Noah’s ark pudding)! Our version is based off Elizabeth Taviloglu’s recipe at the Spruce Eats. Our missionaries in Turkey love gathering with their friends and neighbors for potlucks. “Having everyone bring something different makes it fun to learn about other people and try new foods,” one missionary says. “Also, miraculously, we always have the right types of food that we need!” Turkish neighbors often bring this dish over in their own bowls. When the missionaries finish eating it, they often make a new dish in the same bowl and return it…

Life as a missionary is a constant learning experience, but there are some things that would be good to know before you head to the field. Keep reading to find out what they are!

Oct 18 2019

Missionary life can be both a wild adventure and, at times, a struggle. But there is one thing for sure — being a missionary is a learning experience. Whether you’re getting ready to head to the field, or you have years of missionary experience, there is always more to learn. I talked with some of our missionaries about things they wish someone had told them before they went to the mission field. Find the right fit Just like with anything else, no missionary work will be all fun all the time. There is no such thing as a perfect fit….

Author - Jessica Purdy

TEAM Eats: Salmorejo

How to Raise Missionary Support During COVID-19

3 Ways to Pray for Missionary Kids [July Prayer Focus]

The Riots That Led to Friendship

Missionaries Before They’re Missionaries [March Prayer Focus]

TEAM Eats: Creamy Chicken Curry from Pakistan

How to Navigate Pregnancy on the Mission Field

TEAM Eats: Aşure (Noah’s Ark Pudding)

What You Need to Know Before Becoming a Missionary