Great Expectations
Read any number of the more respectable books on overseas mission and there is one thing you are assured to hear: expected the unexpected. Or put another way, expect your expectations to change. No matter how intellectually ready you think you are to enter and work in another culture, you’ll still carry some expectations from your first culture into your initial contact that will need to adjust to your new culture or you’re head might explode (or something like that)…
So here are a few things I’ve come to expect (and not expect) after two and a half months in situ 1
I no longer expect to schedule every second of every day…or if I do I no longer expect for that schedule to remain unchanged
I no longer expect anyone to know the names, reputations or teachings of Carson, Jensen (either of them), Goldsworthy, Piper, or even Lewis. For some reason Stott rings a bell with some, though only by reputation it seems…
I expect to find new products in the shops or markets on a fortnightly basis (e.g. no Tim Tams for weeks and weeks, then every store is overflowing with them when a new shipment comes in)
I expect to have to give at least 5 minutes every talk to place events in the basic flow of the Biblical narrative (though I pray this will soon be rectified!)
I no longer expect coffee to taste ‘right’ (hard water and UHT milk…*shivers*)
I no longer expect to have quick access to any resources other than the basic (and somewhat antique) commentaries on my computer and the dozen or so other books I have on hand
I expect to find Aussie goods far beyond their ‘best before’ date
I no longer expect more than two days notice to preach
As such I expect myself to have a talk or the outline for a talk in my pocket/backpack at all times…just in case…
I no longer expect to make myself clear the first time I say anything!
Most of these were all part of the adventure to get used to (O the thrill of massively discounted and only slightly melted Tim Tams!) whereas others – especially those to do with my teaching work – took a fair bit longer and have taught me a lot more humility!
1 NB. This is not meant to be a negative appraisal of life here…you’re meant to giggle a little even as I touch on some of the underlying issues here
Posted: Apr 29, 09:07 PM Category: Musings
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