Chester Bennington. Chris Cornell. Friends. Both died by suicide just 2 months apart. Individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide are at an increased risk of suicide themselves. One study reports that people bereaved by suicide (Survivors of Suicide, aka SOS) within the past year were 1.6 times more likely to struggle with suicidal ideation, 2.9 times more likely to create a suicidal plan,…
People who have endured traumatic experiences often complain of recurrent nightmares. The good news is that this is normal and it is the brain’s way of trying to make sense of what happened. The bad news is it can invoke painful emotions such as fear, anger, and depression and can lead to insomnia. Nightmares often unmask subconscious thoughts surrounding the traumatic event. It can be…
About fifteen years ago, my world was rocked when mental illness began to rock our home. Until that day, my life had been relatively simple. After years of watching my husband as he sought to control his bipolar disorder, the battle ended with his suicide. My quiet, unassuming life had been thrust into a world of darkness and pain. There were times when I didn’t…
I have been struggling to write since I returned from Africa. There is so much to tell and to process that I have put off writing until now. My husband provided devotional thoughts for me to read while I was away so that we would both be meditating on the same scriptures from different continents. This was the perfect start to my days — connecting…
As the time to leave for Africa draws near, I am usually filled with anticipation and excitement. I long to walk again on the African soil, and to embrace friendships that extend beyond cultural and language barriers. This year, these emotions are coupled with some sadness and concern. Jorjanne has not been feeling well for the past couple of weeks, and it is difficult leaving knowing…
As a young girl in GA’s, I remember being fascinated by the stories of men and women who travelled across the world to share Jesus. I was enthralled by the adventure, but also intrigued by the challenges they encountered. Little did I know that God was planting seeds for missions in my heart. Ten years ago, I went to Africa for the first time. I…