A Publication of Christian Schools International
|
Spring 2014
29
14.
How can I take on the role of learner during my
travels?
15.
What kind of attitude do I need to have if the
trip doesn't go as planned or hoped?
Observe: Write to
Remember
In the midst of your trip, don't
get so wrapped up in recording
events that you fail to experi-
ence them. Live your day and
write later. Two good times for
journaling are first thing in the
morning or last thing at night.
Here are some things I've
learned while keeping journals:
·
It's impossible to record every detail of every
day. It's better to focus on a few key events or
scenes from the day.
·
Writing lists (Things I did today, People I talked
to, Foods I ate, What I smelled, Places I saw,
Animals) helps capture many details in a short
time. When making a list, you can include as
many line items as you can recall, or you can
choose a specific number: Four people I met
today.
·
Emotions are important indicators that a story
needs to be captured. Something may sound
unremarkable, but if it causes an emotional
reaction in you, it's worth exploring the situation
in your journal.
·
A basic format can be helpful. You don't have
to follow it every time, but it gives you a starting
point when you don't know what to write about.
My default format is to write concrete details
first, then my thoughts and
emotions. I close with a
written prayer.
Flickr: Dvortygirl, ElizabethM, Shannen Sinclair
Reflect: Review Your
Experiences Regularly
Reflecting allows you to figure out the significance
of your cross-cultural experience. You should con-
sider two basic questions: What am I learning? and
What am I going to do about it?
If you find those questions too big, you may want to
think in several categories:
·
What did I learn about God throughout the trip?
·
What did you learn about myself?
·
About the global church?
·
About the gospel?
·
About God's plans for me and for the world?
·
About other cultures?
·
About love?
·
About following Christ?
You need to start answering these questions soon
after you return, while the experience is still fresh in
your mind. But it's equally important for you to keep
asking these questions as you continue to reflect.
Some lessons take time to emerge.
Consider reviewing your journal and answering the
questions every month for a year after you return.
Also, if you have taken steps to bring your life in line
with what you've learned, record your actions and
their results.
Experiencing another culture can absolutely change
your life. But you have to take intentional steps to
learn all you can. If you do your part, the Holy Spirit
will do his.
Rachelle Dawson is a freelance writer and editor. When
she is not reading or knitting, she and her husband enjoy
hiking, biking, learning about other cultures, and trading