Pursuing the Call: A Plan for New Missionaries预览

If you ever played sports in high school or college, you know that all athletes dread the first week or two of practice. Coaches focus on rigorous conditioning routines with lots of running and comparatively less time actually playing the sport in question. Athletes commonly refer to this opening week as hell week, highlighting how unpleasant this part of the season can be. In addition to getting the team in shape, this intense training weeds out those who do not have enough desire to be on the team to push through the pain. This experience isn’t pleasant for anyone, but those who want to be on the team must push through it to get to the more enjoyable experience in the remainder of the season.

Going through culture shock is a lot like this initial training when a new season starts in sports, but to a much greater degree. Whereas a sports practice lasts a few hours, culture shock is a reality 24/7 when you first move to a new country. Also, the grueling portion of a sports season is short lived, thus the term hell "week," but culture shock can last for several months.

Culture shock is an unfortunate reality that affects everyone who moves overseas. Even though it may seem like a mountain that you will never get over, keep moving forward and don’t get discouraged. It will refine you and make your ministry stronger when you come out on the other side. No matter how dark your situation may seem, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If you put forth a continuous effort to learn your new culture and integrate into it using the recommendations provided here, you will succeed and adapt to your new culture. When you do, you will have an incredible experience and an awesome ministry waiting for you.

The two Psalms in today’s reading talk about God’s faithfulness to guide us no matter where we are.As you read today's reading, let them encourage you through your struggle with culture shock.