Rebecca on an MAF flight to Kampung Baru.
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1. Don’t be afraid.
2. Brings lots of chocolate and stash it in a safe place for true emergencies.
3. Bring lots of mouse traps. Refer to #1 when the shrew runs over your toes while your cat just sits there. Then refer to #2 as disgusting rodents always constitute a true emergency.
4. No matter how bad the traffic is, keep your eyes open when you’re driving.
5. Trust your friends and allow grace to fill in the cracks caused by their failures and yours.
6. No matter what anyone says, you’ve got to try durian. You’ll hate it at first, but then you’ll try it again (three or was it, four?) times and something will change and you’ll love it. But eat only fresh-from-the-Borneo-rainforest durian. The already-cut-up stuff in the grocery store is gross. Also, a lot of other things related to living overseas are like durian. You might not like it at first, but then someday, you might. Or you might still hate it, and that’s OK too because you have #2.
7. Don’t be afraid.
8. Learn the art of creating some margin in your days in the things you can control, since much of your days will be filled with the unexpected. When the unexpected involves a shrew, refer to #3. When it involves a friend, refer to #5. When it involves fresh durian, refer to #6. When it refers to the washing machine breaking and flooding your house right before you lose electricity all day long and your husband is out of town and then your baby starts playing in the dirty laundry water, then refer to #2 because this is another true emergency.
9. Ask for help. You’re not alone. And you don’t have to be (too) tough.
10. Don’t try to avoid the hard things. They come with amazing treasures, growth and opportunities.
11. Let God reshape your dreams when reality hits.
12. Don’t be afraid.
12 Comments
We’re leaving for the mission field at the end of this month. We’re a family of four with one on the way. Thank you for the list, especially #s 1,7 and 12.
Many blessings to your family as you enter this adventure!
I think #8 is especially important: “Learn the art of creating some margin in your days in the things you can control, since much of your days will be filled with the unexpected.” So true!
Having been a missionary in Africa for 30 years and counting, I would add: Be flexible when things get tough and have a sense of humor. Creativity & laughter are God-given stress relievers!
Very true about keeping that sense of humor! Thanks for commenting!
God bless you Rebecca for your service Those are powerful words. Have you heard the song Be Not Afraid? by( John Michael Talbot) It is beautiful,
Thanks for the idea on the song. I’ll look it up!
Edited version for PNG: #3, bring rat glue, because no trap in all the world will catch those monsters of bush rats. And rats eating your half cooked dinner (when called out to an emergency at the hospital) is not a chocolate-deserving emergency. Save it for the time when the rats eat the wires to the freezer and your years supply of vaguely western food treats saved for times like this end up defrosted and soaked in rotten meat juice……. Loved this post, right there with you!! (Minus the kids, it’s hard enough looking after just me here- RESPECT to you Moms!)
Oh, Beth! I feel your pain on losing your precious western food! Thanks for commenting!
Not sure I will ever be able to do number 6 again. Once was more then enough.
Ha! Carol, you made me laugh. But just three more times and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. 🙂
Nice, God bless you.
Thanks for taking the time to comment!