Having a conversation with a Global Worker (GW) while they are in their country of service may seem daunting. Having one when they visit Bridgeway may too.
Those conversations can be hard because you're trying to find connection with someone you don't see in person every week, while also navigating security concerns and a total lack of understanding of what their lives are like on a daily basis. Your normal go-to small-talk question about the OKC Thunder probably doesn't hit home quite as well.
Speaking of home, you may even be trying to figure out how to say the most normal of things, like "It's great to have you here!" But you can't remember if you're supposed to say "Welcome home" or not because they may consider their country of service more like home than they do the city they grew up in.
Sometimes, you may be thinking, "I don't know what to say." Or "I'm afraid to ask the wrong question."
Here are a few questions to keep in your back pocket to help you start a conversation that might be a little less awkward - but even if it is, it will show our GWs you care about them.
Questions about "There"
What do you like best about living in _______?
What do you dislike about living in _______?
What’s been the biggest change?
What’s the hardest part about living in _____? (seems similar to #2 but this can be personal and not about culture)
What are some of your favorite places to visit there?
Tell me something about the people of your host country.
What has surprised you the most about how people live there?
What do you appreciate most about your host culture?
How is language learning going? What has your experience been like? Are you in a formal school? Do you have tutors?
What about the country/city was not like you expected it to be?
Does it remind you of anywhere else?
What are your favorite cultural foods? places to eat? activities to do? parts of the culture?
What are your least favorites?
What do you miss most while you are living in _____?
Are there security concerns in your host country?
Questions about "Friends, Family, & Fun"
What has this international move taught you about your spouse, kids, yourself?
What does community look like there?
How are your kids adjusting? Have they made friends?
What does school look like for your kids?
How are they handling their "Third Culture Kid" (TCK) identity? How has being back here affected them?
How are your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. handling your move?
How is everyone's health (physical, mental, spiritual, emotional)?
Will you be able to take a vacation while you're in the States?
What fun things are you looking forward to doing while you are here?
Which restaurant did everybody in your family want to visit first? (Bonus points for following this up with: Can I take you to lunch there after the service?)
Tell me about a special friendship you have with a national. Who are some of your close friends?
Tell me about raising your children in a different culture. Advantages? Disadvantages?
Are there some specific needs your children have that you are concerned about?
What do you feel is the most common misperception of you or your work by members of
your sending church?
What are some ways you connect with other global workers?
Questions about "Ministry"
What do you enjoy most about your work? What inspires you?
I'm guessing you don't have a typical day/week to describe, so can you tell me about your work and how it's different from the work you did here?
Where have you seen God at work through you? your family? your team?
What breaks your heart about the people or culture there?
What are some of the highs and lows of your ministry?
I know you’re working hard while you are here. What does your time here look like?
Are you able to share the truth and disciple people freely in your country of service?
Are many people responsive to the gospel or just a few? Why?
Describe an experience you had on the field that impacted the way you do ministry.
How are church services different or alike in your country of service?
What are some specific prayer requests you have for your country?
What is the greatest spiritual need you notice in your ministry? Physical need? Emotional need?
What has been your most noticeable spiritual change since you began ministry overseas?
Tell me of someone whose life was impacted with the gospel and the change you saw in his/her
life. Is there someone I can be praying for?
Tell me about your co-workers. What are their roles and how are they doing? Are they encouraged?