I can’t sit here and give you a check list of things to know before moving to another country.
I can, however, offer you several challenges.
I challenge you to assume that what you’ve been raised in is bias and only one mere perspective of the human experience. That does not mean that your life is meaningless. Quite the opposite. I propose that every individual’s life experiences, including their upbringings, home culture, mother language, economic standing, and religious exposure and adherence are equally beautiful.
I challenge you to assume that you are operating out of a position of systematic privilege. For someone to even be able to consider a support raised position, that means that they have a relatively strong support system and financial means. This is not something that many can say.
I challenge you to genuinely ponder the fact that primarily white, economically sound, religiously raised and supported individuals and families are those in overseas ministry. I challenge you to ponder that these people often do not reflect the communities they move into. Therefore, great care and attention ought to paid so that local cultures and values are not impaired.
I also challenge you to reflect on the influence that “American Christianity” has had on all of us from the US. I quickly learned that the believers from other countries offered up healthier and more holistic experiences and understandings of Christianity. I challenge you to assume that others have potentially more to teach you than you have to teach them.
Lastly, I challenge you to “go” with great care, respect and grit. I challenge you to find aspects of other cultures that add to your own personal health and growth. I challenge you to leave space for assumptions to be challenged, questions to be asked and silence to be had.