1 Year on the Field: a Journal Entry
Time has FLOWN by, and here I am, one year into my two-year commitment with GoCorps. In some ways it feels like I just left the states—there is so much still for me to learn about the language and culture of the country I am in. And yet, it also feels like in one year, I have lived a whole lifetime. In one year, God has grown and changed me so much. I took some time at the beginning of this month to journal and reflect on this past year and all the ways that God has grown me. Here are some thoughts from my journal: “Thank you for how you have grown me in… Read more >>
The Peril of Asking for Directions
In the country I am living in, asking for directions can be a dangerous thing. Because the country is an honor/shame culture, it is extremely important to maintain your name and reputation, and through that your honor. It is very important to “save face”, to not do anything that makes you look bad. In this context, saying “I don’t know” makes you look bad and is therefore shameful. So…if you ask a person for directions, they will tell you where to go, even if they have no ideawhere said place is. :D You can get sent on quite a rabbit hunt just in an attempt to get to your destination.… Read more >>
Culture Shock Part 1: stressssss until I snap
Hello friends! I wanted to do a several posts on culture shock, based on some of my experiences the past 6 months. This first post is a compilation of some thoughts I wrote in my journal after having been on the field for a month. Culture shock is weird. One moment I am fine, the next I am near tears at the slightest provocation. I thought I was prepared. I thought I was prepared for the big differences, the big changes, ready to learn and adapt. And in many ways I was.... The first few days were overwhelming, but after a week or so I felt like I had adapted enough to survive… Read more >>
Trusting God with My Tomorrows
A couples days ago, I started reading a book that my mom sent me called, "Calm My Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow. In it, she talks about a missionary named Ella who lived in extremely difficult circumstances in Africa, yet was known for being a calm, content person. How did Ella do this? She once wrote in her journal "Never dwell on tomorrow--remember that tomorrow is God's, nor ours". Linda writes, "her tomorrows belonged to God. She has given them to Him. And because all of her tomorrows were nestled in God' strong arms, she was free to live today. One day at a time she could make the… Read more >>