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

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.

This book gives an honest insight into the realities of missionary life. I particularly enjoyed Ellen sharing how her bible study opened up the connections between her experiences and God's truth. Lots of practical wisdom too about the nitty gritty of missionary life and transitions. A bite size book that provided plenty to think about.

Easy to read help and guide for people in similar circumstances or those who know these people.

This is a great read and not only for missionaries, but those who support and pray. Very clear and honest book

Lots of practical wisdom and heartfelt sharing about the joys and struggles of cross cultural mission. Well worth a read.

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.

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.

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.