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Many blessings!

Gary and Karen have been speaking at a variety of conferences – in August, we both spoke in Spain, then did a little traveling, going as far as the south of France.

Gary and Karen near the Spain-France border

Karen is now in Honduras to lead a conference for missionary kids, and will do the same in Colorado in a few weeks. Gary went on a week-long trip to teach a condensed course, and will also speak at several conferences in Costa Rica, and at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society in Milwaukee in November.

It looks like Karen will have at least one hip joint replaced, in December.

We cannot post our October newsletter online, but if you would like to receive our bi-monthly letter, please let us know in the Comment section.

So what’s new with the younger Shogrens? Plenty! Continue reading →

Paul had a precise idea of how to serve God. He worked day and night with his own hands; he risked his life and his health; he “served” the churches and did not exploit them. As a teacher he acted with patience and consideration: when people wanted answers he gave them careful, detailed explanations. He communicated the gospel in a way that anyone could understand (1 Cor 9:20-22).

From what we can glean in 1 and 2 Corinthians, that church wanted a different breed of apostle:

Church at Corinth, Achaia

Wanted: an apostle with style

The church in Corinth is seeking applicants for the position of apostle. We wish to avoid leaders who do not measure up to the highest standards of Christian ministry. Hence we insist that all candidates fulfill the following conditions:

Professional demeanor

• We want a man who holds his head high, not one with a slavish attitude of “service.” We want to show the appeal of the gospel for people with ambition.
• He should own a vehicle; travel by foot gives the impression that one is a loser.

For the rest of the story, go to http://justinofnablus.com/2011/11/01/dear-paul-we-are-sorry-but-you-are-unqualified-to-be-our-apostle%e2%80%a6-studies-in-1-corinthians/

In 1995 I published “Running in Circles: how to find freedom from addictive behavior” with Baker Book House. It is written with the addict in mind, using straightforward language for the person who isn’t necessarily a Christian or even religious. Now you can download a full copy for yourself or for a friend. Click to view Shogren_Running_in_Circles

Karen is there, as kids become Missionary Kids

“Transition can be defined as the movement of people from one stage of life to another or from one cultural context to another…Families going overseas experience transition every time they leave or enter a country.” (Families on the Move, Marion Knell, p. 47)

October 17, 2010, San Jose, Costa Rica. After a long absence, I walk into my own house as a stranger. My life and work­­ have just abruptly turned a corner. For the first time in 25 years I am no longer the primary caregiver for any of my children. The nest is empty, my Costa Rica ministries had been taken over by others, and my own home is in disarray.

“Even good changes are stressful, and in multiple transitions there is a lot of disorientation, exhaustion and grief.” (Knell, p. 56)

I have spent the better part of the last 11 years studying transitions and what they do to us. I’ve taught this information to countless missionary families and helped them apply it. I have helped hundreds of children of all ages prepare for future transitions and cry through completed ones. Continue reading →

"La profesora Karen" prepares her lesson

One of my most vivid memories from my years at Philadelphia Biblical University is Ken Medema’s convicting song, “Moses.” The Chorale performed it multiple times over two years, and Ken Medema himself performed it for us in concert. The first time I heard it, I was fascinated by the way the music explains the words: the basso profundo tone of God’s comands, the scaredy-cat complaints of Moses, the gorgeous harmony of angels singing. Did I mention convicting? Never once did I sing it without God speaking directly to me. After all these year, it is apparently still burned into my brain, because recently I can’t get it out of my mind.

Back in Costa Rica after our extended home assignment, I have been praying that God would give me clear direction about new ministries, and give me the courage to respond with cheerful obedience. Just a friendly warning, both are dangerous prayers!

February 9, 2011. I am sitting in the office of the women’s ministry leader at ESEPA, expecting to be invited to direct short sharing sessions in small groups at several upcoming workshops. The vast majority of my ministry in CR has been in English, with missionary families. I feel totally inadequate to minister in Spanish, especially as a representative of the seminary… Continue reading →

As I mention above, one of my most vivid memories from my years at Philadelphia Biblical University is Ken Medema’s convicting song, “Moses.” The Chorale performed it multiple times over two years, and Ken Medema himself performed it for us in concert. Never once did I sing it without God speaking directly to me. After all these year, it is apparently still burned into my brain.

Go here to listen to Ken Medema singing “Moses”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC1W9rvqjvU

For years I had dreamed of going on a short-term mission, but I held back. I wanted to go where I could do something substantial, and not just have my picture taken in a faraway place. Finally the chance came in 1994. How would I like to visit Romania and teach a crash course on New Testament Greek? Through a translator? I accepted immediately. Continue reading →

The Shogren kids were aged 12, 10, 8 and 5 when we went to Costa Rica. Here they are today, all grown up! Click below to see video greetings from them and new pictures.

Gary is branching out in his ministry. Besides teaching at ESEPA (two sections of 1 Corinthians this semester), he is speaking at conferences and visiting churches to preach and teach. This month he spoke to a group of missionaries that will be going out from ESEPA to Honduras in April to do evangelism and discipling; his theme was “How to Raise Money for a Short-Term Mission.” Here he is preaching at a nearby church.