What happens when the life God calls us to also reveals just how weak and insufficient we feel? In this conversation, Sarah sits down with Heather, the voice behind Liturgies for Life Abroad, to explore the unexpected ways God meets us in our weakness. Heather shares honestly about the challenges of cross-cultural life, the struggle to find worth beyond productivity, and how the practice of liturgy has given her words to pray when she couldn't find her own. Together, they explore the gift of vulnerability, the beauty of shared prayers, and the reminder that we are never alone in our struggles. This is an invitation to bring our whole selves to Jesus—messy, weary, and weak—and discover that His strength is more than enough.

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠

Featured music is "Doxology of Mercy" by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Eine Blume⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

⁠Give⁠ to the work of Velvet Ashes

We are grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast. Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

We are grateful to the RCA Global Mission for sponsoring this podcast. A sewing machine and a training class. For one woman in India, that's a business, an income, and a future for her children. This Christmas, give a gift that sparks change and points people to Christ—our eternal hope. Through Gift of Hope, a project of RCA Global Mission, you can start a woman's sewing business in India, send a child to school in Kenya, or give medical care to a village in Brazil. Visit giftofhope.rca.org to shop all gifts. Gift of Hope. Share the hope you have in Christ today.

Heather is the creator and writer behind Liturgies for a Life Abroad. She has lived overseas with her family, doing nonprofit work in Southeast Asia since 2015. In 2021, Heather began writing and sharing liturgies and reflections on cross-cultural life through Instagram. That little corner of social media has grown into a place where sojourners from every corner of the globe can find solidarity, hope, and words of prayer for the moments when they don't have their own. Learn more about Heather and her books and liturgies at liturgiesforalifeabroad.com.

In this episode, Deepika and Kelli introduce us to the remarkable life of Dr. Ida Scudder, a third-generation medical missionary in India whose encounter with three women facing childbirth without access to female doctors changed the course of her life. Ida went on to earn her medical degree and return to India, where she founded a hospital and medical school for women in Vellore. Join us as we explore Ida’s story, her calling, and the lasting legacy of a woman who saw a need and responded with courage, compassion, and creativity. Also in this episode, Denise and Sarah talk about celebrating Halloween on the field, what they are afraid of, and what's coming up at Velvet Ashes.

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ and Instagram

Featured music is "Doxology of Mercy" by ⁠⁠⁠Eine Blume⁠⁠⁠. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

Give to the work of Velvet Ashes

We are grateful to ⁠⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast. Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

Check out the Unplugged Retreat

Deepika Srivastava is Director of Church Relations for the Vellore Christian Medical College (CMC) Foundation, building partnerships with churches committed to global mission. Born at CMC, she is grateful to help advance Dr. Ida Sophia Scudder’s legacy by empowering the next generation and promoting compassionate, whole-person medicine. She also serves as a Deacon at Bethany Memorial Reformed Church, supporting people across New York City. She enjoys the beauty of God’s creation and hiking with her husband and adult children.

Kelli Gilmore serves as the coordinator for marketing and communications for RCA Global Mission. She finds great joy in helping missionaries share their stories of how God is moving in their parts of the world and being part of their mission work through writing, editing, video work, and graphic design. When not working, she enjoys reading, completing DIY projects, and spending time with her husband, two daughters, and one year old pup.

Ida and the Three Visitors book

Free curriculum to supplement the book

Edison to India 5K

What exactly is Velvet Ashes, and who is it for? In this episode of the Velvet Ashes Legacy Podcast, Denise and Sarah pull back the curtain and invite you into the heart behind the ministry.

Velvet Ashes began with a simple desire: for women serving cross-culturally to have a place where they could be known and understood without having to explain every layer of their lives. More than a collection of resources, Velvet Ashes began as a community of women—and the ministry has continued to grow out of that community. Denise and Sarah talk about the women they serve, the joys and challenges they hear about, and why creating spaces for honesty, connection, spiritual formation, and sustainable joy matters so much.

From the blog and podcast to Connection Groups, retreats, cohorts, the app, and membership, they share the many ways women can find a place at the Velvet Ashes table. Whether you're brand new to Velvet Ashes or have been around for years, consider this your invitation to pull up a chair, meet the women behind the ministry, and discover a space where you don't have to explain yourself.

Learn more about ⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

Featured music is "Doxology of Mercy" by ⁠⁠Eine Blume⁠⁠. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

We are grateful to ⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast. Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.