Culture Shock....
In our April/May prayer letter, we included all the different stages of culture shock. Phase 1 has already dissipated.... and phase 2 has appeared with a vengeance....
If you don't remember the stages of culture shock...Phase 1 is....
Honeymoon stage: This is usually during the first few weeks or months. People experience emotions like excitement, anticipation, and eagerness. Everything and everyone is new and exciting.
And how true that was. I was ready to take Kharkov by storm. Learned the public transportation routes pretty quickly. I was learning everything I could learn and take in everything as fast as I could. God gave us a mission, and I was going to go full force with everything I had in me.
But Phase 2 has slapped me in the face as hard as it could....
Negotiation Stage: After some time (usually around three months, depending on the individual), differences between the old and new culture become apparent and may create anxiety. Excitement may eventually give way to unpleasant feelings of frustration and anger as one continues to experience unfavorable events that may be perceived as strange and offensive to one's cultural attitude. Language barriers, stark differences in public hygiene, traffic safety, food accessibility and quality may heighten the sense of disconnection from the surroundings. This may lead to difficulty sleeping, sadness, homesickness, exhaustion, increased worry, a desire to withdraw, unexplained crying, or overeating.
We have been in Ukraine not quite 3 months, and I have experienced all of the above....it made me laugh for just one second, for I hadn't read this article on culture shock since we put it in our prayer letter many months ago, and to have experienced all this...who ever wrote this article sure knew what they were talking about.
I haven't blogged for several weeks because of this very reason, I knew everything that come out would sound very negative or have a negative twist to it. I try really hard not to give in to these feelings of frustration when everyone and everything seems to defy the very basic code of morality and basic common decency we expect. Just the very mind set of the people we interact with on a daily basic troubles me exceedingly. I know that this is how they have been taught their whole lives, but for me to have to turn my world upside-down so I can intergrade into their society is so very difficult!
It's not just the frailty of our mortal flesh that has a hard time dealing with the cultural differences, but it's also the spiritual battles we face on a daily basis! Spiritual warfare! A very wise women counseled me this.... Eph. 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. I feel so weak, but the scripture says, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might by putting on the whole armour of God. This is my goal, to daily put on the armour of God, for without it, I will not make it!
God has been so good to me, His kindness, grace, and mercy has exceeded my expectations! Which He always does!!! It truly humbles me, and helps me on this journey, and on this path He has placed me on.
Continue reading...
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for leaving a note :)