15 Tips for Surviving on the field

The following was taken from Culture Shock: Dealing with Stress in Cross-Cultural Living by Myron Loss and thought it would be good to share.

  1. Set reasonable goals. Ps. 127:2
  1. Don’t take your job description too seriously – be people-oriented not task-oriented.
  1. Be committed to joy. Gal. 5:22 (Each day is a unique opportunity)
  1. Maintain good emotional health.
  1. Remember that you are human.
    • Physical – exercise, diet
    • Emotional – dependent on others
    • Intellectual – variety of books
    • Spiritual – love of God, study His characteristics (Lam. 3:21-26, 31-33)

  1. Don’t be afraid to be a little bit eccentric, comes with strength of character.
  1. Be flexible-say sorry if needed.
  1. Don’t take yourself too seriously-have a sense of humor, enjoy life.
  1. Reduce your stress where possible. Mt 6:34, learn to say no.
  1. Make your culture change gradual.
    • Take a bit of home with you.
    • Make yourself at home.
    • Keep personal customs/traditions.
  1. Forgive yourself: forgive others. 1 Cor. 13:5

 

  1. Establish some close friendships with people from the host culture.
  1. Be thankful. 1 Thess. 5:18, Gal. 5:22-23
  1. Be an encourager.
  1. Take courage; someone understands – Christ went 33 years without a furlough.

 

Here to Serve,

Jeff Bush

Director of Vision Baptist Missions

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