Missionaries Are Real People: Surviving transitions, navigating relationships, overcoming burnout and depression, and finding joy in God.

Ellen did such an amazing job writing about the real struggles of missionaries without casting stones. It was so healing to read and she wrote with so much humility and wisdom. She is so raw (specifically with talking about depression). She really honors what Christ has done throughout the whole book. It is a great short and easy read but full of so much good meat. It would be awesome for any missionary, but also great for anyone who knows or is supporting a missionary to help them see what missionaries may be going through and what they need. There was also a great section on what long term missionaries experience with short term teams. I was so healed reading this even tho I came back from missions 6 years ago and just great practical advice but without being a checklist "how to", leaving freedom to be your own individual. Seriously check it out. So good.So proud of you Ellen.

This book is very well written and has some very practical advice and cautions for anyone considering going to the mission field or supporting an overseas missionary. The author is open and honest about difficulties she faced living as a single missionary and then as a missionary wife and mother. Each of the 5 parts address crucial issues that are often experienced by missionaries and their families living in another culture. One of my favorite lines in the book is "God's will for your life is not merely a location but more importantly, a lifestyle". This is so important for each of us to remember, including missionaries that may be returning from their field of service.

This is a real book by a real missionary who is brave enough to share her experiences. It's a must read for anyone who is contemplating becoming a missionary or is already serving. It's also a fascinating insight into the life of a missionary for those of us from outside of that world.Missionaries Are Real People shows us that missionaries are ordinary people too. In fact given the immense pressures they work under, they are even more likely to suffer from depression and other emotional challenges. I applaud the author for writing such a compassionate and important book.

As someone who has taught at an international school and lived in a missionary community, I can say that this book addresses a core aspect of missionary life that is often overlooked: the emotional and spiritual well-being of the missionary. Overlooking this aspect of missionary life can dramatically decrease the longevity of a missionary’s career and the impact that they have in their communities. It is fairly common that missionaries feel that they are not allowed to have problems such as mental health matters, anxiety, grief, and struggles with their faith. Rosenberger openly addresses these issues and seeks acknowledgement of a missionary’s personal difficulties as the first step towards resolving them, getting help, and healing. The author avoids shaming, and rather calls on missionaries to act now for the purpose of recovery and renewal. As Rosenberger puts it in her own summary, “The time is now to break down stereotypes, to speak up for what is really going on, and to seek solutions. Let’s not delay another day. There might be a missionary’s life that depends on it.” I highly recommend this book!

This book is excellent for both missionaries and missionaries-to-be. It is written from first hand experience with advice on how to deal with missionaries' largest problems. This would have been very helpful to me when I was a missionary. Would be good for missions to use in their missionary orientation programs.

A little stiff at the beginning but lots of good information and encouragement. Keep reading to the end of this book.

This book was very helpful and encouraging for me as a missionary preparing to serve overseas. I love how the author is transparent about her struggles as well as the joys of ministering cross-culturally. I would recommend working on some spelling, grammar, punctuation, and wording issues to make the book better. But still a great resource for missionaries and their supporters. Thank you!

I am not a missionary. I do not proport to fully understand what it must be like to live in a foreign country, doing the work you feel called to do, yet unable to share the deeper feelings and concerns torrmenting your spirit. I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!Ms.Rosenberger, in her debut writings, has brought to life the joys and sorrows of work in the mission field. Her vast experience, a life of work abroad- as the child of missionaries, as a young single missionary herself, to her current role as missionary, mom, wife and teacher- make her the picture perfect voice of expertise.A must read for all those living abroad in a closed community- missions, teachers, peace corps workers - there is a truth here and a call to allow for the release of the notion that one must be 'perfect' in their role. Bravo, Ellen Rosenberger....you speak to us all!

Very encouraging when you live on the mission field. You see you are not the only one in this situation.

As a student at a school of cross-cultural mission, Ellen Rosenberger's work has provided me with a greater insight into the realities of missionary work in the 21st Century.

Wow!! After reading the book i can say that there is no better title that could have been given to this book. I am from south east Asia and as a person who is very much fascinated by the things that has been achieved by missionaries, this book was an eye opener and a good read, making it ever more so clear that how much more we should appreciate our missionaries.Personal, uninhibited, insightful and analytical depiction of missionary life.Its primarily for three types of perusers1. People who are missionaries, so that they can find motivation, solace and happiness to know that they are not alone in fighting their demons.2. People who are waiting for "The call" to be missionaries, so that you will know what you are getting into.3. People who are supporters of various causes, to cultivate that rare but noble character of empathy. I am of the opinion that this should be made a requisite read for the participants of short term missions.Finally, Thank you Ellen for having the patience, truth and courage to talk about not so fashionable things for the Glory on The One above.

A short but well written book from a personal perspective but with suggestions and relevance for others. It is honest account of different aspects of life on the mission field from a young mum who has spent most of her life outside of her birth country first as a child to missionary parents and then a single missionary who is now married with young kids. She looks at lots of areas of struggles and joys, how to learn to adapt and love your "host country", to get along with the other people you meet including other missionaries, as well as the joys and challenges of being back in your "passport" country which most of your friends and family view as "home".It is a valuable book for missionaries, people of thinking of going out on mission - including short term, and also those who support or have dealings with missionaries. It is also helpful for Christians who've worked outside of their home culture for prolonged periods even though they would not view themselves or be viewed as missionaries.Other books focus more of the nuts and bolts of cross-cultural adjustment, but because this is so short and readable it is definitely a worthwhile addition.

I liked the honesty and rawness shared. As a missionary, you sometimes feel like you can't be that way because others will judge you. However, I wasn't a huge fan. I felt like I was listening to one view of things and I would have rather had a discussion about these topics.