Velvet Ashes / GROW | Site-Wide Activity

MicheleZ posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: This is such a great theme and immediately reminded me […]

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 02:47:47 -0400

This is such a great theme and immediately reminded me of some posts I saw on IG that were originally from Reddit or X or something where people commented on the whimsical things they do. The lists just make me happy- Is it possible to get one going here this month? I’ll go first…

I live in a dorm with a couple hundred teenage girls. There are…

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Connection Groups are back—and registration is OPEN! 🎉One […]

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:22:13 -0400

Connection Groups are back—and registration is OPEN! 🎉

One of the hardest parts of living and serving cross-culturally can be feeling like you’re never truly known. Connection Groups are a chance to change that.

For 8 weeks, you’ll connect with 5–7 women who understand this life—women who can relate to the joys, challenges, transitions,…

velvetashes.com

Connection Groups - Velvet Ashes

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Friends, we are needing to restart the Velvet […]

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:53:44 -0400

Friends, we are needing to restart the Velvet Ashes Instagram account, and would love images from around the world to use as the background for posts etc. We’ve created a folder where you can add images based on continents. Just make sure you are okay with pictures being shared on social media (and it’s probably best for them to not include…

drive.google.com

Pictures to Use - Google Drive

MicheleZ posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi ladies... I have an Indonesian friend whose son got […]

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 02:08:28 -0400

Hi ladies… I have an Indonesian friend whose son got a scholarship in Japan (Edogawa). She is looking for contacts for church/fellowship and possibly a mentor/discipler there. If anyone can help, please let me know!

Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation.

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 04:00:16 -0400

DeniseB posted a new theme.

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 04:00:00 -0400

sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club.

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 04:00:00 -0400

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: We have a lovely small group of women who love to lift […]

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 20:30:35 -0400

We have a lovely small group of women who love to lift up the women of the VA community. Is there anything on your heart and mind this week? How can our team pray for you?

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: Friends, I have an exciting update! Robin and I have […]

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:04:40 -0400

Friends, I have an exciting update! Robin and I have been working over the last few months to put together a collection of liturgies specifically with single women on the field in mind. Here are few of the topics: For Living Alone, For Feeling Included in a Family, For Caring for Aging Parents, For Spiritual Mothering, For Feeling Voiceless,…

DeniseB posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: I am reading a book called “Four Seasons in Rome”. (My […]

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 02:11:10 -0400

I am reading a book called “Four Seasons in Rome”. (My son leaves for a semester abroad this week) I am just pages in so no recommendations at this point but a sentence from the first chapter opened a vault of memories. In describing those first moments of looking up after he and his wife moved their family to Rome he said “ We share a…

Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation.

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 04:00:12 -0400

sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club.

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 04:00:00 -0400

A Gentleman in Moscow

A Gentleman in Moscow with Sarah, Rachel and Maria Content/Trigger Warnings: Monthly Reading Plan You can choose to read at your own pace—binging the book…

DeniseB posted a new theme.

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Jealousy

Jealousy rarely arrives announcing itself. It slips in quietly through comparison, longing, or the subtle ache of noticing what someone else has that you do…

Susan74 posted an update: I want to cancel my membership

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 05:01:11 -0400

I want to cancel my membership

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Book Club: Hey VA readers! We would love your ideas and thoughts as […]

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:23:09 -0400

Hey VA readers! We would love your ideas and thoughts as we plan for Book Club! Would you take a few minutes to fill out this survey? You can share your ideas about how we interact in Book Club, the resources that are helpful for you, and what you might want us to read together in the future. Check out the survey…

2026 Book Club Survey

We would love your feedback on Book Club and how to better serve your reading needs. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey!

docs.google.com

2026 Book Club Survey

We would love your feedback on Book Club and how to better serve your reading needs. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey!

MicheleZ posted an update in the group Singles: Global Trellis had a really good podcast about singles […]

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 02:03:27 -0400

Global Trellis had a really good podcast about singles on the field looking at the changes from twenties to fifties and sixties. I found it really reflected my experience. I’m independent, but if I had a team or org, I might pass this on to married friends and member care people to give them a better understanding of our unique challenges…

Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 04:00:30 -0400

The Return

How often do we resist the gift that God intends for us in a rhythm of Sabbath? God said to the Israelites in Isaiah 30, “In returning and rest you shall be saved…but you would have none of it.” This month…

sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Beyond the Jordan

Beyond the Jordan with Sarah, Rachel & Danita Monthly Reading Plan You can choose to read at your own pace—binging the book at the start…

DeniseB posted a new theme.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 04:00:00 -0400

MicheleZ posted an update in the group Singles: @sarah_hilkemann I just listened to the community chat […]

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 03:30:04 -0400

@sarah_hilkemann I just listened to the community chat and so appreciated what you said about the cost of turning a certain age and realizing you will never have biological children. Though I felt singleness as a call, when I was in my late thirties I know my body and subconscious were recognizing this sacrifice as I would have dreams at night… Read more

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: This podcast episode felt so fitting as we start the […]

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:25:57 -0400

This podcast episode felt so fitting as we start the theme of The Cost this month! I also saw the host, Annie F. Downs, say this: “Pain will always try to narrow our vision until all we can see is what’s missing or broken. Gratitude gently widens it again. Not to pretend everything is fine, but to remind us that hope is still alive. That God is…

Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation.

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 04:00:37 -0400

DeniseB posted a new theme.

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club.

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

When the Sea Turned to Silver

When the Sea Turned to Silver with Sarah, Rachel & Danita Monthly Reading Plan You can choose to read at your own pace—binging the book…

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hey @jmihsill I would love to know, how did you meet your husband?

Tue, 26 May 2026 04:05:00 -0400

Hey @jmihsill I would love to know, how did you meet your husband?

Danita posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @Jenny, what are your favorite board games to play? How […]

Mon, 25 May 2026 14:20:53 -0400

@Jenny, what are your favorite board games to play? How do you choose which game to play as a family?

(Also, may I just say that your kids are BEAUTIFUL. My gracious, they are just so striking.)

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Each month we get to hang out virtually for a day with […]

Mon, 25 May 2026 12:49:14 -0400

Each month we get to hang out virtually for a day with a woman from the Velvet Ashes community! This is your opportunity to ask another woman on the field all about her life, what she is loving, her tips and encouragement, or whatever you might be curious about!

This month we get to ask Jenny (@jmihsill) about anything! Our Ask Me Anything…

Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation.

Fri, 01 May 2026 04:00:49 -0400

Imposter

What comes up for you when you hear the word “imposter”? This month we’re exploring how secure attachment grows our ability to discern what is God’s voice and what is an imposter voice. We’re also seeing…

DeniseB posted a new theme.

Fri, 01 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400

sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club.

Fri, 01 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400

No Graven Image

No Graven Image with Sarah, Rachel and Ruth Monthly Reading Plan You can choose to read at your own pace—binging the book at the start…

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: Hey friends, I LOVE liturgies and liturgy collections […]

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:39:01 -0400

Hey friends, I LOVE liturgies and liturgy collections like from Every Moment Holy and Liturgies for A Life Abroad. I’m all for resources that meet us where we are no matter our season or life situation. I’ve been thinking though about collecting liturgies specifically for single women in global work. I don’t claim to be a liturgy writer, but…

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hey @BethanyD! What's something you wish you would […]

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:04:47 -0400

Hey @BethanyD! What’s something you wish you would have known when you first arrived in Paraguay?

Danita posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi @BethanyD ! You wrote that you enjoy being active […]

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:24:25 -0400

Hi @BethanyD ! You wrote that you enjoy being active and playing sports. What are your favorite ways to do that in your setting? Have you had to get creative or change something that you used to do in your passport country?

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Bethany D has been our featured guest in our […]

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:33:01 -0400

Bethany D has been our featured guest in our membership community this month and we get the chance to send all our questions her way. They can be about her life on the field, her favorite things, her recommendations or whatever! Anyone is welcome to participate.

Here’s how it will work:

– Pop into the Coffee Shop group any time tomorrow (April…

Danita posted an update in the group Singles: Happy Birthday, @sarah_hilkemann ! 🎂💐 I hope your […]

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 05:57:58 -0400

Happy Birthday, @sarah_hilkemann ! 🎂💐 I hope your milestone birthday is a very special day filled with encouragement from many who love you. May you be reminded of the Father’s love for you, his faithfulness in your life, and the joy of trusting him!

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: I came across this resource and wanted to pass it on! […]

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:45:02 -0400

I came across this resource and wanted to pass it on! It looks like the deadline to sign up is tomorrow (April 24).

Art Processing Group for Single Female Global Workers

May 19-June 7

Cost: free!

Email: info@mosaicjourneyic.com

nikki-jacobson posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi girls! I am going into a time of furlough for the […]

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:59:21 -0400

Hi girls!

I am going into a time of furlough for the summer, and as I am meditating on what rest can look like for me during this time, I wanted to ask all of you what your rhythms of rest are.

jmihsill posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi, Ladies - Has the 2026 Retreat group opened? I […]

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:21:31 -0400

Hi, Ladies – Has the 2026 Retreat group opened? I can’t find it. When I click on the link to the chat group that’s in the retreat experience, I get an error page (404 message). Thanks!

Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation.

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:00:40 -0400

DeniseB posted a new theme.

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0400

sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club.

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0400

If the Ocean Has a Soul

If the Ocean Has a Soul with Sarah, Rachel and Danita Monthly Reading Plan You can choose to read at your own pace—binging the book…

BeccaT posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin What was your original call to the […]

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:01:50 -0400

@gerd.lepoidevin What was your original call to the field? Is that the same call that has kept you their for so long, or how has it changed?

AngieW posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin What about grandkids? We don't have any […]

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:07:47 -0400

@gerd.lepoidevin What about grandkids? We don’t have any yet but I think we will in the next 2-3 years. My husband already says he’s not sure how he’ll be able to leave them 😉

Danita posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin Hi Gerd! How do you and your husband […]

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 06:52:23 -0400

@gerd.lepoidevin Hi Gerd! How do you and your husband stay connected with your children who are spread out across the globe?

lynette-a-y posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin I noticed you were born in Norway but […]

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 03:49:37 -0400

@gerd.lepoidevin I noticed you were born in Norway but married an American! Were there any culture shocks or surprises in your marriage? How did you deal with them?

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: It is crazy that we are already almost to the end of […]

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:36:23 -0400

It is crazy that we are already almost to the end of March! We will be wrapping up reading Get Over Here by Melissa Zaldivar and moving back to regular chatting. 😉

There are two Zoom opportunities to discuss the book and your experience with community as a single serving cross-culturally. It is okay if you haven’t finished the book! You can…

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin if you could go back and tell […]

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:22:37 -0400

@gerd.lepoidevin if you could go back and tell your newly-arrived-on-the-field self something (advice, encouragement) what would it be?

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: This resource was shared in the Global Member Care […]

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:50:32 -0400

This resource was shared in the Global Member Care Network and we wanted to pass it on!

FieldPartner is launching a new course on Cross-cultural Marriage this Thursday!

Cross-cultural marriages are beautiful—but they come with real challenges too.

Different expectations, communication styles, and traditions can create tension—but with the right…

Two Cultures, One Heart

Building a thriving and joyful marriage for cross-cultural couples

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Two Cultures, One Heart

Building a thriving and joyful marriage for cross-cultural couples

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hey friends, we’ve got something fun for you coming up […]

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:51:08 -0400

Hey friends, we’ve got something fun for you coming up tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25)!

@gerd.lepoidevin has been our featured guest in our membership community this month and we get the chance to send all our questions her way. They can be about her life on the field, her favorite things, her recommendations or whatever! Anyone is welcome to…

grow.velvetashes.com

Page not found - Velvet Ashes / GROW

RuthP posted an update in the group Moms: I'm planning to travel to the US later this year to […]

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:43:34 -0400

I’m planning to travel to the US later this year to surprise my Dad for his 70th birthday. We took a furlough not too long ago and the kids will all be in school so my husband is going to stay back with them. I am so looking forward to this trip and really grateful for the oppressed but ai already feel like I will have people judging me…

Velvet Ashes / GROW | Site-Wide Activity

MicheleZ posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: This is such a great theme and immediately reminded me […]

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Connection Groups are back—and registration is OPEN! 🎉One […]

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Friends, we are needing to restart the Velvet […]

MicheleZ posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi ladies... I have an Indonesian friend whose son got […]

Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation.

DeniseB posted a new theme.

sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club.

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: We have a lovely small group of women who love to lift […]

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: Friends, I have an exciting update! Robin and I have […]

DeniseB posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: I am reading a book called “Four Seasons in Rome”. (My […]

Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation.

sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club.

DeniseB posted a new theme.

Susan74 posted an update: I want to cancel my membership

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Book Club: Hey VA readers! We would love your ideas and thoughts as […]

MicheleZ posted an update in the group Singles: Global Trellis had a really good podcast about singles […]

Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation.

sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club.

DeniseB posted a new theme.

MicheleZ posted an update in the group Singles: @sarah_hilkemann I just listened to the community chat […]

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: This podcast episode felt so fitting as we start the […]

Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation.

DeniseB posted a new theme.

sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club.

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hey @jmihsill I would love to know, how did you meet your husband?

Danita posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @Jenny, what are your favorite board games to play? How […]

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Each month we get to hang out virtually for a day with […]

Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation.

DeniseB posted a new theme.

sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club.

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: Hey friends, I LOVE liturgies and liturgy collections […]

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hey @BethanyD! What's something you wish you would […]

Danita posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi @BethanyD ! You wrote that you enjoy being active […]

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Bethany D has been our featured guest in our […]

Danita posted an update in the group Singles: Happy Birthday, @sarah_hilkemann ! 🎂💐 I hope your […]

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: I came across this resource and wanted to pass it on! […]

nikki-jacobson posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi girls! I am going into a time of furlough for the […]

jmihsill posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi, Ladies - Has the 2026 Retreat group opened? I […]

Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation.

DeniseB posted a new theme.

sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club.

BeccaT posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin What was your original call to the […]

AngieW posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin What about grandkids? We don't have any […]

Danita posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin Hi Gerd! How do you and your husband […]

lynette-a-y posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: ﻿@gerd.lepoidevin﻿ I noticed you were born in Norway but […]

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: It is crazy that we are already almost to the end of […]

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin if you could go back and tell […]

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: This resource was shared in the Global Member Care […]

sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hey friends, we’ve got something fun for you coming up […]

RuthP posted an update in the group Moms: I'm planning to travel to the US later this year to […]

lynette-a-y posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin I noticed you were born in Norway but […]