I’m excited for you to meet another Global Trellis Specialist. We believe that you either develop, burnout, or stall out. Given these options, don’t you want to keep developing? Knowing that lasting change involves a slow and steady drip of information, we are building a team of people to aid in your development. The thought is that on a quarterly basis we will rotate through topics and conversations so that they can seep into you (and me!).

So far you have met Tim Austin (life coach), Lauren Wells (TCK), and Katie Brown (grief). Today you’ll meet Jenilee Goodwin who is a “life hack” on the field guru.

You are going to love Jenilee!

Share a bit about your or your family’s experience overseas.

In 2012, I transitioned from stateside children’s ministry to working overseas. I spent a year in France for language school where I decided I love all things crepes and frites! In 2014, I moved to Senegal, West Africa to work with the national church in the areas of children, school, training, and curriculum development. Then, in 2021, I moved again to South Africa to work with national pastors in the post-covid years. I loved living and working overseas and I’m so thankful for each of those experiences!

Where are you now? What are you up to? 

Currently, I’m back living in the states and building my coaching practice. Specifically, I love working with global workers and their families as they face the many facets of overseas life. I walk with workers in the areas of ministry stress, parenting, schooling, burnout, culture shock, transition, and whatever else they might be walking through on the field. I feel honored to be part of their support system, working through things like Red, Yellow, Green, the capacity series, or the sabbatical journey.  I also have certification to help workers who are recognizing neurodiversity in themselves, their team, their spouse and/or their children.

So much of your personal blog and writing in other spaces is geared towards helping people. What drew you to helping people on the field? 

When I began my journey overseas, I was shocked at how little was available for practical advice or realistic help for new workers moving overseas. Where were the simple answers and the helpful checklists? Where were the practical tips I needed for the challenging decisions ahead? Who was walking this road and sharing their journey as it happened? I knew I wasn’t alone in my search for simple, helpful, real overseas information so I decided to share and write my story as it unfolded. My prayer was that it would help someone else in their overseas journey. I continue to pray that over every word I write or checklist I make. I’m thrilled that more and more online resources, communities and stories are available to help new workers walk this complex road. I also love how coaching can come alongside workers in a 1-1 or group setting!

Jenilee, I love the way God has wired you to systematically approach life, ministry, and relationships. Your festive intentionality points us to God. I look forward to how God is going to use you in this space!

Jenilee and I first met through Velvet Ashes and were “virtual friends.” We had the opportunity to meet in person several years after we became friends. Of course, where did we first see each other in person? In an airport! It is so delightfully weird to see someone you already know and have that hopeful smile as you walk towards each other. Communicating, “It’s you? Right! It’s got to be you.” And it is!

Jenilee is one of the most eclectically gifted people I know. She is so gifted at systematically breaking something down and then building it back up, so that we can follow her.

Where in your life could you use some “life-hacking”? Don’t miss out on this opportunity for Jenilee to help you, and stay tuned to her first post later this week.