Culture Shocking: Are you ready?

thought I would post some tips that I.N. Network suggests for team members
There will be a quiz Saturday afternoon January 16th

Traveling Outside Your Comfort Zone

You probably packed your favorite remedies for headaches, cuts, bug bites and that pink medicine for when you’re “intestinally challenged.” But what did you pack for culture shock? What is culture shock anyway? To help understand it, let’s imagine this scenario: When you arrive at your site, the warm weather feels great, the village seems quaint and friendly, and your hosts are engaging and responsive. But, after a few days you feel your attitude shift. The honeymoon is over. Now the heat is stifling, the village is closing in on you, and your hosts won’t give you a minute to yourself. Is that culture shock? In a definition, culture shock is the disorientation that results from unfamiliar surroundings and unmet expectations.

So, yes, culture shock has begun. Nothing is predictable, and daily living has an uncomfortable feeling. You find yourself critical and complaining...and disappointed for even feeling this way. You may even feel like going home. Just remember that these are all very normal feelings for anyone traveling outside his or her own culture. And, now that your awareness of this phenomenon is heightened, you will want to be especially careful of having a judgmental attitude as it’s one of the first things to creep in.

When things are different from one’s own customs, values, and behaviors, they are... just wrong or intolerable, or at the least, just plain weird. It’s even true at home. When someone does something differently than you do, it’s common to think that you do it the right way and they do it the wrong way. Experts say that people from every culture around the world think their way is the right way. This is called ethnocentricity. It’s very important to understand that the social behaviors of another culture are not necessarily wrong; they are just different from yours. They can be appreciated and enjoyed.

You may need to remind yourself of this phrase, “IT’S NOT WRONG; IT’S JUST DIFFERENT.”

Flying!

so we are going to meet in Chicago and head to Germany, then on to West Africa. Ready? Packed? Got all the bug spray, pills and sunscreen in that suitcase? I am thinking today of the many choices I have about what to put into that bag I am checking. It makes me wonder if I have put enough time into getting ready in other ways.
Would you pray with me today for the people we are going to meet and serve?
For the team members we are going to get get to know on a whole new level?
Would you ask God to continue to build into us abundant fruit of His Holy Spirit?

I will just promise you that there will be plenty of times when we each need more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
I am trusting that He will be the Provider of All we need
How about you?

SO MUCH NEWS!!!

I had a chance to get to Michigan and meet with the I.N. office team and also Laurie who will be with us in Ghana. There is so much news! Lets see if I can get out some of it for you to ponder and pray.


First we are busily collecting supplies for Bible School at Kanolwe School. The items we need to still round up include cotton balls and white construction or heavy copy paper. Round tip scissors, popsicle sticks and duct tape would also be more than welcome. Any body found these items and have room in their suitcase??
Second, can someone research and print some pictures of single snowflakes? We want to use these to show the different kinds that fall and make up the giant pile we have outside to shovel. :)
Third there is news about the construction. I got drawings of the church building we are going to work on and heard that 30% is underway with local help. What a great combined effort this is going to be. The recommendation is that for ALL of us to bring a pair of leather gloves. We will be digging, pouring cement and shaping bricks. There are plenty of tools available and they will buy more in country if needed. I will try to scan and upload the drawings of the proposed building, so watch the blog for more information.

Ten Helps for Being a Good Guest

I found this advice helpful and hope you do too!

It’s not always easy to be a good guest. When we were young, we needed coaching to know how to behave appropriately “in front of company.” It’s certainly not natural to know what’s expected from us in a cross cultural situation. Though you may never fully understand why, the following social hints (in no particular order) are universally acceptable for acting with sensitivity and humility.

1. Show respect for your host by using the proper greetings and titles, especially to the eldest in the group.
2. Ask your new acquaintances about their families. You can show them pictures of your family, but it’s best not to share photos of your house or car or boat.
3. Be a good observer and listener, and ask polite questions.
4. Dress appropriately to show honor to the culture. Usually, the rule of thumb is to dress moderately.
5. Act very discreetly with the opposite sex.
6. Always show gratitude for your accommodations and food, whatever they may be. You are an honored guest and are receiving the best they have to offer. Don’t boast about what Americans have or “how we do things back home.”
7. Never show your temper. Many cultures see a display of anger as the greatest of sins.
8. Be sure you get permission to photograph someone. Don’t offend your hosts by taking photos of what may be considered private or what may be considered a negative aspect of the country.
9. Show empathy and appreciation, but not pity, for the surroundings. It’s important to be respectful of where your host lives and works. If you encounter any beggars, ask your host how to respond to them since local philosophies and practices vary from country to country.
10.Be flexible with your time. Go with the flow of the culture and the people you’re involved with. Go to learn and serve, not to keep track of the time. There is a saying in foreign countries about Americans, “They have the watches, but we have the time.”

Bible stories

We have been asked to tell Bible stories to the kids at the school. It will be wonderful to have supplies for crafts (see the list in the last blog), but it would be even better if we came prepared to share our faith stories and personal lives with the folks we meet.
Lots of times we hear 1Peter 3:15 used for reminding us to be ready to share our conversion and present the gospel with someone who does not know Christ. For our travels, I want us also to be prepared to share with each other and the Ghanians we meet about the hope we are finding in Him each day.

In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

As you get your clothes and supplies ready to pack into that suitcase, take a bit of time to think and pray through what you would say to those who ask you questions while you are in Ghana. It might be a 7 year old school child or an older man in the village. As God is teaching you about Himself, how would you tell a bit of 'your story' to the ones who will be curious why you got on the plane and came so far? I hope we can help each other be spurred on to love and good deeds.