Entrusted

July 12, 2016

We have had many meetings the last few days continuing to debrief the time we have had in Kenya and we have talked about what it will be like to come back home in just a few short days.

An article by Linda Olson was given to us about culture shock and readjustment.  She writes, “There are three basic reactions or ways of handling this transition time.  One may experience a little of each in the process.  The Assimilators seem to slide right back into the home culture with little or no problem and appear almost to have forgotten their short-term trip.  These people may seem to have adjusted well but may have missed out on the greatest growth opportunity, for they do not seem to integrate the things they saw, learned or questioned into a new view of life and the world. The Alienators seem to reject the home culture, although for the very short term, this may not last long. They may be very pessimistic and critical of the home culture, realizing that they too were a part of it.  They seem limited in their ability to see the range or social structures and their appropriateness for creating personal alternatives for life values. They may finally succumb to the home culture out of a need to belong  somewhere.  Again, this reaction does not eventually afford a growthful re-entry. The Integrator is one who expects the dissonance he or she is experiencing although maybe not in each form it appears.  They are able to identify the changes they have undergone or area still experiencing and do not demand immediate closure on them. They desire to see their short term trip have a lasting impact on their life and the lives of others. This means that they will grapple with how to integrate the things they saw, learned and questioned into creative alternative choices.”

Brian talked this morning about the parable of the talents from Matthew 25 and asked us to consider what we are going to do with what has been entrusted with us this summer.  How can we continue to live into the lessons we have learned and integrate them into our lives when we return home very soon? These are some of the questions we will keep pondering and we hope that we can share a cup of chai with many of you as we dig into these as we come home.

"Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." 2 Timothy 1:4 

Soaking up these last few days… (on a camel’s back no less…) 

$3 camel ride! 

Anna, Taylor and Kelsey 

Kelsey has been one off the best big sisters to Anna and Taylor on our team! So thankful for her... 

free time today 

The monkeys here are aggressive (but still cute). They have stolen two bananas from my plate at lunch and they took Taylor's crepes this morning at breakfast right out of his hand!