The first two weeks were centered on learning language acquisition techniques. The staff was amazing. Two of the teachers were Dwight and Barbara who have an amazing story of living in Vietnam during the war while ministering to the Jeh. I loved that they encouraged us to look at language learning from a "Yet" standpoint. Thinking about learning the Japanese language and their (3) writing systems seemed like it wouldn't be possible, now I say "I haven't learned it yet."
The last two weeks were spent opening up "raw" emotions. We learned our conflict style, stress levels and how to say healthy goodbyes.
In regards to stress, we were put into a simulation where we were hiding from "rebels" and had to make hard decisions, while not knowing what was going to happen next. I tried to mentally put aside the fact that this was practice, so I began to deal with it as if it were real. Ironically I thought I would start stressing out quickly, but my heart beat was normal, it was hot and I begin to pray. It allowed God's peace to come over me. When the "armed" rebels finally found us I immediately thought back to the time when I was 16 and was robbed at gunpoint. I handled it then, I'll handle it now. Afterwards, I begin to think about what really does stress me out and why wasn't I stressed in that situation. I think it's time to lighten up on the non-essentials and Exit my world and Enter the world of whomever I come across.
I'm a lion, Will is a fox, according to our conflict styles. A lion is direct and task-oriented, the fox is a compromiser, who gives a little and takes a little. It made so much sense once this information was allowed to sink in. There are good things about both, but it's the negative aspects of our styles that we want to work on.
Lord, I didn't know I was so intimidating to people! But this is something I'm aware of now and plan to work on.
The hardest part of the whole program was allowing my feelings and emotions to surface exposing my vulnerability. We learned what healthy goodbyes were and how to give those we leave behind to the Lord. It's a common misconception that missionaries are running out into this grand adventure and not missing anything back home. We feel torn and even replaced when we leave. I'm personally burdened by the fact that a "goodbye" might be final on this side of Heaven.
In between classes, we made incredible relationships, can't you tell! We also played many card games, Mafia (new favorite), couch jumped, ran a 5k and experienced strengthening growth groups.
We've made life long friends and were able to feel as a family with people we had never met. Knowing that there are others who feel as you feel and are going forward as you are make the unknown seem less intimidating.
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| The kids in class with us learning about the transitional chaos and re-settling process. |
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| Kickball! |
