The Uneasy Life of a Middle East Skeleton
Dec 4, 2017 10:07:18 AM Sarah Rymer Education, Egypt, Children, Families, Hope, Life, Learning, Culture
Do you have skeletons in your closet? Our Associates in Egypt do, and he even has a name – Max.
Do Tell, Don't Ask Why
Nov 20, 2017 11:44:14 AM Sarah Rymer Families, Hope, Life, Relationships, Tips, Learning
What I Learned About Hospitality in a Chinese Village
Nov 8, 2017 10:48:29 AM Sarah Rymer China, Families, Hope, Life, travel, Learning, Hospitality
We bounced along for hours over a rough road in the mountains of rural China. A local friend had arranged for us to spend the day with his wife’s family who lived in a home made of packed mud perched on the side of a steep slope.
A New Kind of Community in Lebanon
Sep 20, 2017 11:56:46 AM Sarah Rymer Families, Hope, IDEAS projects, interesting people, Relationships, Lebanon
For the past three and a half years our family has been living in the city of Beirut, and working with marginalized people groups in different parts of the country of Lebanon. Whilst the news about countries in the Middle East do not paint a hopeful picture for people in this part of the world, our hearts fill up with excitement to see the different ways God is ...
Traveling With Kids
Aug 17, 2017 2:35:03 PM Sarah Rymer Children, Families, Hope, Life, Living Overseas, travel
Are you considering traveling with your children? I’d strongly encourage you to do so! While it can be a bit intimidating, the rewards are many. Whether you decide to take a road trip to a neighboring city or state, or board a plane to visit a new country, you will create memories that will last a lifetime.
Teaching the Teachers of Refugee Children
Apr 24, 2017 7:54:21 AM Sarah Rymer Education, Children, Families, Hope, Volunteer, World News, Turkey
Something about conducting a teachers meeting from a preschool-sized chair helps keep things in perspective. Any sense of superiority or pride vanishes while we discuss the challenges and struggles that our small refugee preschoolers will face when they start school in the fall.
Life in Lebanon
Dec 19, 2016 4:32:39 PM Sarah Rymer Children, Families, General, interesting people, Life, Living Overseas, work
Meet David! David and his family live in Beirut, Lebanon where he serves as the IDEAS Lebanon Project Operations Director and as the coordinator for a community center that works with disadvantaged youth. Learn about his work and family in the latest blog post: Life in Lebanon.
Orienting Your New Life Overseas
Nov 28, 2016 12:41:54 PM Sarah Rymer Families, General, Life, Living Overseas, Tips, travel
Scott, our Asia Project Operations Director, shares his insights on orienting your new life overseas.
Moving to a new city in a new country can be a disorienting experience. Nothing is familiar, you can’t read the road signs, and it is hard to ask directions in a new language. How do you get oriented in your new location?
Buy a ...
Why Should I Join IDEAS? Here is Why!
Jul 19, 2016 4:10:46 PM Sarah Rymer Families, General, IDEAS projects, Life, Living Overseas, Organization, Volunteer, work
"So, why should I join IDEAS?"
I love this question. In fact, I never get tired of it because it is the exact question a possible volunteer or long-term Associate should be asking. When deciding to go overseas, whether for two weeks or 10 years, picking an organization is vital (check out:
What Do You Love About Tunisia?
Mar 8, 2016 3:12:58 PM Sarah Rymer Children, Families, General, Hope, IDEAS projects, interesting people, Life, Living Overseas
This week, we want you to meet Tony! Along with his wife and two sons, Tony lives and works in Tunisia. Check out his insights into this beautiful and complex country: