missions
The Key to Happiness Is Self-Forgetfulness
By Jen Oshman at The Gospel Coalition
· July 6, 2026
· 6 min read
“What in the world? Where are we?” My husband and I were incredulous. We’d reached our destination, but it wasn’t the bustling event center we’d expected. Instead, it was a yellowing field, barren except for the few cows who stood staring at us while chewing their cud. It was the early 2000s, and Ma
Key takeaway It was the early 2000s, and Mark and I were weary.
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Original reporting by The Gospel Coalition . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: missions ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: The Gospel Coalition ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? “What in the world? Where are we?” My husband and I were incredulous. We’d reached our destination, but it wasn’t the bustling event center we’d expected. Instead, it was a yellowing field, barren except for the few cows who stood staring at us while chewing their cud. It was the early 2000s, and Ma
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by The Gospel Coalition and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jen Oshman at The Gospel Coalition. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more missions coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .