Month: March 2026

Protected from Evil Spirits (and Gluten)

Posted on by Emily Belvery

(This story comes from an MCN mission partner in Central Asia)

Last month, I asked in my newsletter for prayer for more spiritual conversations with local people. This month, I reconnected with my friend, A, who speaks English well. After having tea at my place, we went on a walk to his home, and he invited me inside for dinner. 

I gladly accepted his invitation, but when we stepped inside, I saw that almost all the food wouldn’t be good for me to eat (I avoid eating gluten and restricted my diet even more after a recent illness). Yet I immediately thought I should “eat what is set before me” (Luke 10), and face the consequences later —the chance to connect with A was precious, and I wanted to share the Truth with this searching young man. 

While we ate, it started to rain, and A suggested that I spend the night. That wasn’t in my plans, but I felt like it was in God’s! After a great time talking and playing games, A showed me my room for the night. He gave me a glass of water but covered it with a small plate, “to keep the evil spirits from poisoning your drink.” Umm, ok… I assured him I didn’t need it. 

Over breakfast (with more gluten) the next morning, I observed the unfolded napkin loosely covering a pile of fruit on the table, and I asked A, “How you think a napkin protects your food from evil spirits?” Praise God, this question cut through groggy morning small-talk and launched us into an hour-long conversation about spiritual powers, God’s plan for the world, human choices and sinfulness, and the Way to God. I’d never had a conversation like this before, and it was amazing! 

As A walked me out after breakfast, he thanked me for sharing about my “interesting religion.” I said that every religion is about what people need to do to get to God, and A eagerly agreed. I continued, “What I’ve shared with you this morning is about what God has done. I wouldn’t say I have a religion—I have a relationship.” This really blew A’s mind! 

As we kept walking together, A told me he wants to read other religious texts before reading God’s true Word. He was certainly intrigued by our conversation, though. I am grateful God guided the entire time and gave me words to share with A. Oh—and God protected me from all that food I shouldn’t have eaten! God is so awesome! 

Explore God’s Calling as a Mission Explorer

Posted on by Emily Belvery

It is an encouragement to be surrounded by people invested in the same vocation; each in a unique way that utilizes their gifts and talents. I would definitely recommend CMI to anyone even a little interested in exploring where God is calling them at any point in their life! 

  • Grace, 2024 Mission Explorer

This is a gracious, inviting, enjoyable introduction to a kaleidoscope of opportunities for living out the Gospel on the paths God is calling us. 

  • David, 2025 Mission Explorer

Are you considering mission work? Join us as a Mission Explorer! Every year in July, MCN co-hosts the Concordia Mission Institute (CMI) as training for our Mission Partners. By becoming a Mission Explorer, you are able to participate in the conference, receive mission training,  and meet missionaries and MCN Staff together with a group of like-minded Explorers. Mission Explorers is a great place to explore what it might look like for you to serve, while hearing the stories of those who are on the field right now. 

Read what a former Mission Explorer, has to say about his experience:

What led you to decide to be a Mission Explorer? 

When I signed up for CMI, I had a strong sense that God was leading me into international mission work, but I didn’t know where I should serve or what I should do. I liked that at CMI, I would meet missionaries and learn about living missionally. I hoped the conference would be a part of discerning how and where God wanted me to serve.

How would you describe your experience as a Mission Explorer?

It was a formative week of meaningful conversations, interesting sessions, and fun activities! It was amazing to meet people serving in different locations and roles but all united in faith and purpose.

What did you take with you when you left the Concordia Mission Institute (CMI)?

I left CMI spiritually equipped and encouraged, with a new understanding of God’s Mission, and as part of the MCN family!

What role did your experience as a Mission Explorer play in discerning your place in God’s mission? 

I left the conference better equipped to live missionally immediately and hoping I could serve with MCN in the future. In time, God pulled together the details of how this would happen and where I would go.

Who should be a Mission Explorer and why?  

Anyone who loves Jesus and wants to share about Him can be a Mission Explorer, but the Mission Explorer experience is especially great for those who feel God is leading them toward cross-cultural ministry. The conference is wonderful preparation for living missionally in any context.

What recommendations do you have for Mission Explorers to make the most of their time at CMI? 

As a Mission Explorer, you are a full participant in the conference, not just an observer. Meals are wonderful connecting times, and don’t ever be afraid to strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know. The conference can also be overwhelming (in a good way), so feel free to take some extra time to rest or reflect. I skipped a session to nap under a tree. Make sure to get ice cream at Cree-Mee Freeze sometime! 🙂  

How might being a Mission Explorer help you discern God’s leading in your life? Reach out to Mission Mobilizers Emily Belvery or Kayla Gundermann for more information about joining us at CMI as a Mission Explorer.

Grandparenting from Afar

Posted on by Emily Belvery

(While this article is written from the perspective of a missionary parent and focuses on the experiences of grandparents living in the US while their children and grandchildren are overseas, many of the insights, comforts, and suggestions are equally applicable to grandparents traveling overseas to serve and leaving children and grandchildren behind in the US.)

Many of my close friends became grandparents before my husband and I did. They would talk about how unbelievably wonderful it was, and the unconditional love they instantly felt toward their grandbabies.

I loved being a mom. I can honestly say it has been one of the greatest joys of my life. So, I figured being a grandma would also be great. And when we found out our oldest daughter was expecting, my husband and I were thrilled. But wow – I did not really understand how fierce and amazing the love would be until I first held that precious baby girl. My girl now was a mom, and this tiny human was not my responsibility to raise but my great joy and privilege to love. And love her we have and are still doing. As grandparents we have learned a few things in life, and we have time to contemplate and invest in loving our grandchildren with our presence. We can sit and play or read for hours, take long walks that involve picking up every rock or dandelion just because they are there and interesting. When I come to visit or talk over FaceTime and their little faces light up with a big smile and an “I wanna see Nana,” my heart melts – these tiny humans have stolen my heart, and if I don’t get to see them for a few months it seems way too long.


As a parent I was so busy with the dailyness of caring for my children that I didn’t always have the time or brain space to stop and contemplate the moments that were so quickly happening in front of me. Being a grandparent lets you enjoy those moments all over again but at a slower pace. You realize as a grandparent that just being with your grandchildren, hearing their hearts, and making new discoveries, is the most precious gift you can give them.

How do you handle this great joy of grandparenting if your adult children feel called to overseas missions and those grandchildren go to live in a country far away? (Or perhaps you have been called to serve overseas in your retirement and must leave grandchildren behind for months at a time to live and serve in another place.) Yes, we live in an age of many and various ways to communicate and see each other, but we all know that physical presence is the best. The reality of them being in another country means there are no quick weekend trips either to visit them or for them to stay with you. Every visit in person takes lots of planning, money, and documents.


Some of you are experiencing this, and you know better than I do what it is like. Some of us may experience this in the future, and the thought may give us feelings of panic and unbelievable sadness. In “What Missionary Grandparents Give Up – and Gain,” Mack Stiles has some ideas for both the parents heading overseas and the grandparents saying goodbye. Stiles encourages the adult children heading overseas with their children to acknowledge the sacrifice that their own parents are making and to own that this decision is one they chose and not one their own children or the grandparents chose. In owning this decision, those called to the mission field can empathize with the sacrifice of the grandparents and ask for their support and prayers. Stiles also reminds the missionaries to remember that when God calls them, He also provides for the grandparents and will equip them to grow in their faith. Lastly, Stiles encourages mission partners to prioritize time with grandparents when home for furlough. This honors parents (Exodus 20:12) and helps solidify close connections.


For the grandparents of missionary children, Stiles encourages them to support their children’s call to serve. As hard as it may be to do, if you oppose what God is calling them to, it will only add pain and possible resentment to an already difficult decision. Stiles also encourages grandparents to take a posture of learning. Ask questions about the country your children and grandchildren are going to. Learn about the ministry there. The more you know and can pray specifically about, the more you will feel the excitement of what God is doing around the world. If possible, go and visit where they are serving and see firsthand what God has called them to do. When communicating with your grandchildren over FaceTime or Zoom, talk about how God is teaching you to trust Him even though you miss them a lot.

If the Lord calls you to be grandparents whose children and grandchildren live in a far away land, know that He sees and hears your heart, your fears, and your pain. He will give you what you need for the sacrifice you are experiencing. You may be surprised at the richness of God’s grace and blessings and the way your world is enlarged instead of diminished.

I admit that if I am called to be this grandparent who someday needs to say goodbye to my children and grandchildren as they go to live in another country, I will struggle a lot. Just thinking about the possibility fills my heart with dread. Yet I know that I felt that same way when two of my children decided they were being called to missions overseas right after they finished college. It turned out to be a growing experience for us all with so many wonderful surprises in how God worked in each of our hearts to trust him more deeply and to be amazed at His Mighty power to save.


Mack Stiles. “What Missionary Grandparents Give Up – and Gain.” The Gospel
Coalition. [Online]. April 4, 2024.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/missionary-grandparents-give/