Far from Home with Mabel Ninan

This episode covers the second half of Liz Nandakumar’s journey as an Immigrant from India to the U.S. If you haven’t listened to part one, I highly recommend you listen to it – . In the previous episode, Liz talked about how God provided for her during the initial years of her life in a new country. In the second part of our conversation, Liz describes how mentors helped her husband and her navigate life as new immigrants by providing practical help. They also discipled the young couple as they took on new opportunities as ministry leaders. Liz shares the inspiration behind her nonprofit, A Good CUP International, Inc., and how her work aligns with her passion and calling. Takeaways Mentors can provide practical help to new immigrants as they learn to adjust to a new culture. By showing Christlike love and generosity to immigrants, they bear witness to the power of the gospel. Ministry leaders also need mentors to come alongside them and provide spiritual wisdom, guidance, and encouragement. When God places a particular burden on our hearts and calls us to serve Him, He can trust Him to provide the resources we need and bring the right people into our lives to help us step out in faith. Join our online community to share your thoughts on this episode. Links Connect with Liz Learn more about A Good CUP International, Inc. Connect with Mabel Facebook Instagram Check out Mabel’s book, Far from Home Watch & Subscribe on YouTube https://youtu.be/PZryQ6OhPE0 Subscribe to Mabel’s Emails

Liz shares how she experienced God’s provision and help in practical ways when she was new to the U.S., navigating student life, parenthood, and cultural adjustments.

This episode is the second part of my conversation with Indian American theologian, Dr. Sam George. He’s the director of the Global Diaspora Institute at Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, Illinois, and has authored and edited twenty books and numerous journal articles. Sam studies and teaches how the movement of people impacts Christianity. In the previous episode (part 1) , Sam talked about his personal immigrant background and shared his insights and wisdom regarding the intersection of theology, global migration, and missiology. In this episode, Sam explains why Christians should welcome and love the foreigner and why it’s important to recognize that God is moving people with a purpose. He helps us understand the meaning of “diaspora” and the impact of diaspora communities on Christianity. Sam also talks about the history and characteristics of the Indian Christian diaspora. Takeaways Welcoming and befriending immigrants expands our understanding of diverse cultures, increases our appreciation of Christians from other parts of the world, and fuels our desire to share Christ with those who don’t know Him. Migration is the work of a sovereign God who’s moving people for His purposes. We have to see God’s fingerprints in the movement of people. The U.S. is home to Christians from all over the world making American Christianity unique in its diversity of Christian traditions and denominations. Join our online community to share your thoughts on this episode. Links Learn more about the Global Diaspora Institute, Wheaton College Billy Graham Center Learn more about Parivar International Buy Sam’s books: Sharing Jesus with Hindus by Sam George and Ashok Kumar  – Desi Diaspora by Sam George Journeys of Asian Diaspora: Mapping Originations and Destinations by Sam George Asians in Diaspora and Diasporas in Asia, edited by Sam George, Bulus Galadima, and Jeanne Wu Connect with Mabel on Facebook Connect with Mabel on Instagram Check out Mabel’s book, Far from Home Watch & Subscribe on YouTube https://youtu.be/v2UWYm_066E Subscribe to Mabel’s Emails

This episode is part one of a two-part conversation with Indian American theologian, Dr. Sam George. He’s the director of the Global Diaspora Institute at Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, Illinois, and has authored and edited twenty books and numerous journal articles. Sam studies and teaches how the movement of people impacts Christianity. In this episode, Sam talks about how his background as an immigrant from the Andaman Islands of India shaped his faith and why he left a successful career in the corporate world to pursue seminary studies. Sam served on the leadership of the Lausanne movement from 2016 to 2025. He witnessed hundreds of refugees come to Christ while he traveled to Europe, Asia, and Africa to study the refugee crisis. Sam explains the important connection between migration and theology, pointing out that the Bible is a story of migrants or displaced people and that Christianity is a moving, missionary faith. Takeaways No matter where we go or how far we travel, we can find a community of believers. The church is the most active global entity. Migration is the mega theme of the Bible. Almost all major characters of the Bible were migrants who were displaced. Human mobility and migration is an important aspect of the spread and transformation of Christianity. Join our online community to share your thoughts on this episode. Links Learn more about the Global Diaspora Institute, Wheaton College Billy Graham Center Learn more about Parivar International Buy Sam’s books: Sharing Jesus with Hindus by Sam George and Ashok Kumar  – Desi Diaspora by Sam George Journeys of Asian Diaspora: Mapping Originations and Destinations by Sam George Asians in Diaspora and Diasporas in Asia, edited by Sam George, Bulus Galadima, and Jeanne Wu Connect with Mabel on Facebook Connect with Mabel on Instagram Check out Mabel’s book, Far from Home Watch & Subscribe on YouTube https://youtu.be/xCo7eL02Hog Subscribe to Mabel’s Emails

In this episode, I talk with Heidy De La Cruz, who is the host of the two-time award-winning podcast, The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants, where immigrants share their journey of coming to the United States. Heidy shares the inspiration behind starting her podcast and the impact of podcasting on her spiritual life. Through podcasting and mentoring other podcasters, she believes she’s fulfilling her God-given purpose. She and I talk about the powerful effect of storytelling both on the person sharing the story as well as those listening to immigrant stories. Takeaways Storytelling is powerful because it humanizes people’s experiences and can help others adopt a compassionate and empathetic view of immigrants and refugees. We must make an effort to listen to immigrant stories so that we can understand the complex nature of their immigrant journeys. It is important for immigrants and refugees to tell their stories in a safe space. It can be therapeutic for them and also help them see God’s fingerprints throughout their journey. Join our online community to share your thoughts on this episode. Links Learn more about Heidy Connect with Mabel on Facebook Connect with Mabel on Instagram Check out Mabel’s book, Far from Home Watch & Subscribe on YouTube https://youtu.be/k3cviQ0pGCw Subscribe to Mabel’s Emails

In this special episode, my husband, Simon Ninan joins me in sharing our story as immigrants from India to the U.S. He works as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Strategy for Hitachi Vantara in Silicon Valley. Like me, he was born and raised in a Christian family in India. Simon and I have been married for almost eighteen years and that’s also how long we’ve been immigrants. We discuss the culture shocks and challenges we experienced during our initial years as immigrants. We reflect on how trusting in God’s plan and character helped us endure hard times and constant change. Takeaways Most immigrants are not prepared to cope with the changes they encounter in a foreign country, and the transition can affect them emotionally as well as spiritually. When we go through hard times or face any kind of unexpected adversity, we can remember that God is with us through it all. Sometimes, He helps and comforts us through people or community. Truths we can rehearse to anchor our trust in God: God has a good plan for us, He is in control, and He never changes. Join our online community to share your thoughts on this episode. Links Check out Mabel’s book, Far from Home Connect with Mabel on Facebook Connect with Mabel on Instagram Watch & Subscribe on YouTube https://youtu.be/lXq4ykO2ofI Subscribe to Mabel’s Emails

Our guest, Elisa Johnston, is a fellow Redbud writer, a writers’ coach, a nonprofit consultant, and author of two books, Justice-Minded Kids and The Life Mapping Workbook. She explains why she views herself as a “hidden immigrant.” Elisa discusses how to instill values of compassion, empathy, and justice in kids of all ages. She suggests practical ways parents can encourage their children to care for immigrants and refugees, build relationships with diverse groups of people, and use their voice to advocate for them. Takeaways Parents must be intentional about raising kids to be justice-minded, inculcating activities and conversations in their day-to-day lives meant to teach values of compassion and justice. Parents can depend on God to provide opportunities to interact with immigrants and refugees and organically build relationships with them. Since each child is unique, he or she can be encouraged to use his or her voice to advocate for the immigrant community in a way that best suits him or her. Join our online community to share your thoughts on this episode. Links Learn more about Elisa Elisa’s free resource of Bible verses Connect with Elisa on Facebook Connect with Elisa on Instagram Connect with Mabel on Facebook Connect with Mabel on Instagram Check out Mabel’s book, Far from Home https://youtu.be/1Vyg9qFgtKo Watch & Subscribe on YouTube Subscribe to Mabel’s Emails

Our guest, writer and transition coach, Carolyn Grant, is no stranger to change. Born and raised in South Africa, she moved to the U.K. and then to the U.S. In this episode, she and I discuss both the challenges and blessings we experience as immigrants. Carolyn reflects on how her immigrant journey strengthened her faith in God and what inspired her to become a transition coach. She shares tips on navigating seasons of change with purpose and hope. Takeaways Transition is ongoing for many immigrants, who’re constantly learning new things and living in between cultures. God is the same, yesterday, today, and forevermore. He can be our anchor during times of transition. Our identity and sense of belonging are rooted in Christ. Remembering that we are children of God who belong to Him can help us cope with difficult changes. Join our online community to share your thoughts on this episode. Links Learn more about Carolyn Connect with Mabel on Facebook Connect with Mabel on Instagram Check out Mabel’s book, Far from Home Watch & Subscribe on YouTube https://youtu.be/1pCcxvo4RXs Subscribe to Mabel’s Emails

February is Black History Month. We’d like to spotlight Keishia Lee Louis, an African American educator and children’s author, who’s using her words to impact the next generation for good. Through both scholarship and storytelling, Keishia seeks to illuminate God’s image reflected in literature and children’s lives. Keishia and I discuss her book Use Your Palabras, Jovita! which is based on the life of a lesser known hero of American history, Jovita Idar. A Mexican-American journalist, activist, and suffragist, Jovita used her words to fight for justice and equality in the face of intense opposition. She advocated for the First Amendment and multicultural/multilingual education in schools, among other issues, in Laredo, Texas, in the early part of the 20th century. Keishia talks about her cross-cultural marriage, representation in children’s literature, the relevance of her book today, and the importance of multicultural education. Takeaways Parents and educators must make an effort to communicate to children that they are created in God’s image and have worth and dignity. Through their unique gifts and attributes they not only reflect Him but also can achieve great things in His name. When children and young people understand that their words carry power, they can make a change for good through their words. Our faith in God informs our practice of justice and motivates us to love others. Join our online community to share your thoughts on this episode. Links Learn more about Keishia Learn more about Use Your Palabras, Jovita!: How This Brave Journalist Stood for Justice Connect with Mabel on Facebook Connect with Mabel on Instagram Check out Mabel’s book, Far from Home Watch & Subscribe on YouTube https://youtu.be/qwCfRnEc2E0 Subscribe to Mabel’s Emails

In this special episode, I share a Christmas message with you. Jesus’ birth story demonstrates that He was no ordinary, earthly King. He is humble, servant King who came to love, serve, and save others. His beginnings were humble. Jesus’ parents were poor and He was born in an insignificant village, Bethlehem. When He was only a toddler, He became a refugee along with His parents. Jesus associated Himself with the poor, the despised, the lowly, and the refugee. And this has implications for us: As Jesus’ disciples and citizens of His kingdom, we too must view and treat people the way Jesus does. If you feel unloved or unimportant, or if you’ve been treated badly, remember that Jesus empathizes with you. He loves you and came to earth to sacrifice Himself for you. Our salvation, our adoption into God’s household, and our citizenship in His kingdom are gifts from our Father in heaven. Let this Christmas season remind you that you could receive these gifts only because of Jesus’ sacrificial love for you. Let us remember that just as He is not of this world, we too are not of this world. We are called to follow His example and show radical love toward the poor, the needy, the refugee, and the outcast. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Join online community to share your thoughts on this episode. Links Connect with Mabel on Facebook Connect with Mabel on Instagram Check out Mabel’s book, Far from Home Subscribe to Mabel’s Emails

The Bible is replete with stories of men and women who were immigrants, like Abraham, Moses, Daniel, and Esther, to name a few. Their experience of living in foreign cultures and lands not only intersected with their personal spiritual formation but also played an important role in the meta narrative of the Bible. One of the goals of this podcast is to highlight biblical immigrant characters so that we recognize how migration intersects with Scripture and draw important truths from their stories not only to strengthen our faith but also to adopt a right perspective on migration and migrants. In this episode I explore the story of Ruth with author and speaker, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, whose latest Bible study is titled, Redeemer: God’s Lovingkindness in the Book of Ruth. Ruth, a Moabite widow, became an immigrant when she moved with her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi, to Bethlehem. She’s an important biblical character not only because she’s included in the genealogy of Jesus but because her story points to God’s power and purpose through redemption. Takeaways Both Ruth and Naomi were widows familiar with grief and loss. God redeemed their lives, turning their pain into joy. He can do the same for anyone who’s mourning the loss of someone or something significant. Boaz, the son of Rahab who was also a foreigner, showed extraordinary kindness and generosity toward Ruth. He acted as her kinsman-redeemer, pointing us to Jesus who came to restore and redeem us by sacrificing Himself on the cross. God’s providence is one of the key themes in the book of Ruth. In our lives too, God orchestrates circumstances and appointments in order to accomplish His plan for our lives. Join our online community to share your thoughts on this episode. Links Learn more about Dorina. Buy the Bible study, Redeemer: God’s Lovingkindness in the Book of Ruth. Check out my previous episode with Dorina on hospitality. Connect with Mabel on Facebook Connect with Mabel on Instagram Check out Mabel’s book, Far from Home Watch & Subscribe on YouTube https://youtu.be/xWDanInbnqQ Subscribe to Mabel’s Emails

Author and entrepreneur Eloise Benoit was born in Haiti and moved to the U.S. after a catastrophic 7.0 earthquake struck her country in 2010. The disaster was traumatic not only for her but also for everyone in Haiti. Eloise shares some details of her life before and after the tragedy. She talks about the challenges and joys of integrating into the American culture as a teenager and the people who welcomed and helped her as she tried to fit in. She and I also discuss the importance of faith in helping her endure wilderness seasons in her life and the inspiration behind her book, Unwired, and her organization, Made for More Legacy. Takeaways Natural disasters and other extreme climate events are major factors that lead to displacement and migration. Poorer countries do not have the resources both to prepare for disasters and to respond to them, leading to widespread devastation of basic infrastructure and a staggering death toll. Looking back at God’s faithfulness in our lives strengthens our faith in him and helps us press on during times of suffering. God has a purpose for every season in our lives. We have to trust that He’s working all things for good that will bring Him glory and mature our faith. Godly entrepreneurs are driven by a strong sense of purpose that aligns with their unique identity and God-given strengths. Join our online community to share your thoughts on this episode. Links Learn more about Eloise Benoit Buy Benoit’s book, Unwired. Connect with Mabel on Facebook Connect with Mabel on Instagram Check out Mabel’s book, Far from Home Watch & Subscribe on YouTube https://youtu.be/MmMvSlI98Bg Subscribe to Mabel’s Emails

Jenn Suen Chen is a spiritual director, speaker, and leader in the area of spiritual formation and cross-cultural ministry. In this episode we discuss her latest book, Dim Sum & Faith: How Our Stories Form Our Souls. As an Asian American and a child of immigrants, Jenn’s unique perspective on storytelling and spiritual formation is powerful, thought-provoking, and inspiring. She and I talk about her upbringing in an immigrant household, how navigating two cultures can be both a joy and blessing, how to cope with spiritual dryness, and the role of hospitality in storytelling, among other topics. Takeaways Our value has been assigned to us by God who created us in His image. This powerful truth transforms how we see ourselves and others and how we receive and give love. Many immigrants or Third Culture Kids live between two or more cultures. Being grounded in our biblical identity can make us confident and empathetic as they navigate cultures. Sharing stories helps build empathy, process our spiritual formation journey, and bridge cultural gaps. Hospitality can lay the grounds for a safe space where people can share stories. Join our online community to share your thoughts on this episode. Links Learn more about Jenn Suen Chen Buy Jenn’s book, Dim Sum & Faith: How Our Stories Form Our Souls Connect with Mabel on Facebook Connect with Mabel on Instagram Check out Mabel’s book, Far from Home Watch & Subscribe on YouTube https://youtu.be/c4yaQ31hZPg Subscribe to Mabel’s Emails