Monday: Expectations
We talked about what they expect will happen in the new place, acknowledging that things won't happen exactly how they think it will! We can be flexible when things happen differently than we expected.
We also took a field trip to the local library, where the kids researched and then presented about their host countries: Hungary, Germany, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Tuesday: Identity
Who we are doesn't change when we move, but we may find things about ourselves changing as we fit into a new place. These students will also be adding the "TCK" (third culture kid) dimension to who they are. We also did some team-building activities to build communication and encouragement among the students. It was really neat to see the siblings working together, as two of the girls were sisters and the other three were from the same family! We ended the day acting out skits about how to react to culture shock.
Making collages about ourselves
Obstacle course team-building
We studied the characters in the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11), especially focusing on Abraham who followed God to a new place without even knowing where he was going!
We then reflected on how we need to be trusting God in transition. The students compiled a list of things that they know or think they'll be sacrificing as they move overseas. (No, these kids aren't going to Germany - otherwise they wouldn't be sacrificing chocolate!) Then, they prayed over this list, committing themselves to following God, regardless of the sacrifice involved.
Thursday: Being Observant
We talked about being observant as a strategy for adjusting to a new culture. We studied how Paul was observant to the needs of the people he served in Athens (Acts 17), so we can emulate this as we enter new cultures. One of the kids' favorite activities of the week was what we called "Culture Improv." My co-teacher, Katie, and I would start acting out a scene, and the students had to observe to figure out how to enter into the scene. We acted out several vignettes including checking out at a grocery store, riding a train, eating a meal in someone's home, and attending a church service.
The kids also decided to write a parody to the Veggie Tales song "God Is Bigger Than the Boogie Man," entitling theirs "God Is Bigger Than the Culture Shock." What fun to hear their creativity in the lyrics and enthusiasm to practice and perform the song! We even recorded it and then showed the video to the adults during one of their sessions - it was quite a hit! You will also notice in pictures below that this song title showed up on the t-shirts we created.
Friday: Saying Goodbye
What makes a good goodbye? How do you say farewell well? We discussed the commonly-used acronym RAFT: reconciliation, affirmation, farewell, and talk about past/present/future. Per the kids' request, we also had a photo shoot at the local park!
To end our time together, the students even made and floated their own "rafts" out of cardboard and balloons!
... And I didn't even mention the wonderful sessions, meals, testimony times, and conversations I had with the adults! How special it was to build connections with the TeachBeyond new staff this week.
I have said many goodbyes recently, and the end of this orientation week brought on another wave of farewells. But this time it was perhaps a bit easier, as these "see you laters" are met with the hope of "hellos."
Hello to the new BFA staff I'll see again in August.
Hello to TeachBeyond friends around the world at our staff conference in April.
And I'm thankful that, whether or not we see each other again in this lifetime, the Lord has brought us together for this time to be encouraged in His global mission. May we serve Him well in the work He has called us to around the world!
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