Epilogue

The stories in this book are just a tiny sampling of the experiences of missionaries on the move. These five have been drawn from all over the globe and cover a timespan of about 30 years. One of the common themes in all the stories is how the community of believers provided guidance, encouragement and comfort in times of transition. Throughout history, God’s people have met to pray and fellowship and eat. We invite you to continue that tradition by gathering a group of believing friends over a meal to share what you’ve read.

Below is Lisa Walker’s recipe for the dill pickle soup she served by the gallon to Ukrainian refugees in the first months of the war. While pickles and soup may sound like an odd combination to American ears, this is a beloved comfort food across much of Central Europe. Even if pickles aren’t your favorite, we encourage you to give the tangy, creamy hug-in-a-bowl a try. There are as many variations of this soup as there are Central European cooks, so feel free to experiment while using this basic version as a starting point.

Most importantly, don’t eat pickle soup alone! This recipe serves eight, so invite some adventuresome friends to join you and share the stories that inspired the menu. When you’ve sopped up the last of the broth, spend some time in prayer together. Here are some ideas of things to pray for to get you started:

• Hope, safety and gospel access for the millions of people who have been driven from their homes due to war, famine and persecution.
• Comfort, courage and wisdom for missionaries who have been displaced from their countries of service.
• Creativity and perseverance for displaced missionaries resettling in new locations overseas or back in their home countries. Many are learning new languages and adapting to new cultures and ministry contexts.
• Wisdom for parents helping children through transitions and new friends for the whole family.
• For the global Church to demonstrate a flexible and responsive faith as the world changes rapidly around us.
• For God to show you, and your local church, how you might more effectively serve missionaries and refugees in light of recent world events. What opportunities might He be revealing? What challenges will you have to overcome?