Our guest is Prasanta Verma, an Indian American, who’s debut book titled, Beyond Ethnic Loneliness: The Pain of Marginalization and the Path to Belonging (IVP Press), launched on April 16th, 2024. This is the second half of my conversation with Prasanta. (You can listen to part 1 here.)

In this episode we dive deeper into Prasanta’s book, examining the impact of assimilation and integration on immigrant identities and communities. Prasanta discusses the role of her personal faith journey in shaping her identity and helping her navigate life as an ethnic minority.

We touch upon strategies mentioned in the book to cope with ethnic loneliness, including the significance of sharing stories and the importance of churches as welcoming and safe spaces. Prasanta also shares insights on parenting advice for first-generation immigrants raising children in a different culture.

1. Ethnic minorities can feel alone, devalued, or unimportant. But the Bible reminds us that God sees, knows, and loves us. A personal relationship with God meets our needs for belonging and a secure identity.
   
2. Prasanta’s unique faith journey highlights God’s sovereign work and providence in our lives. He uses circumstances and people to draw us closer to Himself.
   
3. Representation in literature matters to ethnic minorities. Reading and sharing stories that are similar to ours can bring us great comfort and encouragement.
   

Giveaway

Win a signed copy of Prasanta Verma’s debut book, Beyond Ethnic Loneliness: The Pain of Marginalization and the Path to Belonging. Giveaway ends at 11.45 pm Pacific Time on April 24th, 2024.

Winners will be announced at 9am Pacific Time on April 25th, 2024.

Prasanta Verma (MBA, MPH) was born under an Asian sun, raised in the Appalachian foothills in the South, and now resides in the Upper Midwest. Her essays and poetry have been published in Sojourners, Propel Women, (in)courage, Inheritance Magazine, the Indianapolis Review, Barren Magazine, and the Mudroom blog. She served as a speech and debate coach for over ten years. When she’s not writing, speaking, or working, she’s drinking chai, walking, or reading. Prasanta lives with her family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Learn more about Prasanta by clicking here. Follow Prasanta on Instagram (@PrasantaVerma)and Twitter (@VermaPrasanta).

Check out Prasanta’s book, Beyond Ethnic Loneliness: The Pain of Marginalization and the Path to Belonging here.

Mabel is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher. An immigrant from India who has lived in seven cities across the U.S. in fourteen years, Mabel navigates between cultures, feeling at home everywhere and nowhere. In her award-winning book, Far from Home: Discovering Your Identity as Foreigners on Earth, Mabel draws from her personal experience as an immigrant and examines the lives of biblical heroes to shed light on how we can find purpose and joy as sojourners on earth.

Learn more Mabel here.

Buy Mabel’s book, Far from Home: Discovering Your Identity as Foreigners on Earth, on Amazon.

Buy Mabel’s book from End Game Press.

Download the tip sheet, Love Your Immigrant Neighbor : 5 Action Steps, here.

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