Chapter 2

Preparing for Reentry

            Preparing for reentry from a short-term missionary service to your passport begins as soon as you enter your host country because you will probably be held accountable by those who sent you.  Those people have invested time, prayer, and money in your going and they want to know what you have done and experienced.  This is a part of good stewardship on their part.

Preparing for Reentry in Bible Times

Jonah

Jonah did not prepare for a good reentry.  From the beginning he resisted God’s call on his life, and at the end he was still hoping that God would destroy the people to whom he had ministered.

• When God told him to go east, Jonah went west, to run away from God (Jonah 1:1-3).
• When in a desperate situation, Jonah called on God for help.  Jonah was thankful when God helped, but, as far as we know, he never repented (Jonah 2).
• When he delivered God’s message about the destruction of Nineveh, he hoped it would really happen (Jonah 3-4).
• Jonah was very unhappy that God did not destroy Nineveh, and he became angry with God (Jonah 4).

Jonah’s story ended before telling us whether or not he ever reentered his passport culture.  The last thing we read about him is that he is angry with God.

Jesus’ Apostles

            The last chapter pointed out that Jesus told the apostles where to go on their short-term service.  He also told them what to do.

• Preach this message: The kingdom of heaven is near (Matthew 10:7, Luke 9:2).
• Heal the sick (Matthew 10:8, Luke 9:1-2)
• Raise the dead (Matthew 10:8).
• Drive out demons (Matthew 10:8, Luke9:1).

            Then Jesus oriented them by giving specific instructions as to how to go about their service, such as what to take, where to stay, and how to interact with the local nationals.  The apostles then carried out their preaching and healing ministries as Jesus had instructed.

            When they completed their time of service, the apostles returned and gathered around Jesus. (Mark 6:30, Luke 9:10)

• They reported to him what they had done and taught (Mark 6:30, Luke 9:10).
• Jesus invited them to a quiet place by themselves to get some rest (Mark 6:31).
• They withdrew by themselves to a solitary place (Bethsaida) (Mark 6:32, Luke 9:10).

Of course, they did not report to Jesus because he needed to know.  They reported to him because it was good for them to review for themselves what had happened, and it was good for all of them to hear from each other what had happened while they were gone.  Then Jesus took them with him to a remote place near Bethsaida, the beginning of the first “reentry retreat” (Luke 9:10).   It is good to take time to talk about what has happened to you, especially to talk about this with others who have had similar experiences.  Also, your church would like to know what you did while you were gone. 

Paul

The same thing happened several years later when Paul and Barnabas returned to the Church at Antioch from cross-cultural service.  The church there had fasted and prayed, commissioned Paul and Barnabas by placing hands on them, and sent them off (Acts 13: 1-3).

            When Paul and Barnabas completed their work they returned to Antioch (Acts 14:26).

• They gathered the church together (Acts 14:27).
• They reported all that God had done with them (Acts 14:27).
• They reported how God had received the Gentiles (Acts 14:27).

When Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to help settle a theological question, they reported on these two topics.  First, as they traveled through Phonecia and Samaria between Antioch and Jerusalem, they reported the conversion of the Gentiles to churches along the way (Acts 15:3).  Second, when they arrived at headquarters, they reported what God had done with them (Acts 15:4).

Preparing for Reentry Today

            As in Bible times, people serving cross-culturally today are responsible to those who have sent them.  Senders today want to know much the same thing that Paul and Barnabas reported.  First, they expect a report about what has happened to those they have supported.  Second, they expect a report about what has happened to the nationals served.  We human beings seem to have a need to know how God continues to act in the world.  We want to be reassured that God empowers people “like us” to work effectively and receive joy when we are outside out comfort zones.

My Story

            When Bonnie and I went on that first short-term trip to Brazil, we did nothing to prepare for reentry except to take pictures and gather a few things to put in a scrapbook.  Of course, we bought a few souvenirs to place around the house as well.  We have a bottle of water, a small Brazilian flag, a gourd and straw people used to make and drink their tea all day, and a stuffed piranha. These are all still on display in our basement family room.

As we left our host country, we did say our goodbyes.  Bonnie wrote, “In our last Sunday morning service everyone was crying and hugging.  There were times we could not speak a word.  Our hearts were just full of love for each other and parting was so difficult.  It was like leaving our family back home.”  She also wrote, “As we were flying back to the United States, we both said that in the future at least part of our summers would be spent on some mission field.”

I wrote, “After working, eating, and having fun with the people for two weeks, we did not even want to leave.  We were totally unprepared for how difficult it would be to say goodbye.  Even though we are quite unemotional people, the tears flowed freely that last Sunday morning.”

Your Story

            You are just writing your story, and you have an opportunity to prepare for your reentry.  Several things you need to do are build a RAFT, preserve memories, lower expectations and raise awareness.

Build a RAFT

Dave Pollock often suggested that people prepare for reentry by building a RAFT.  This is an acronym for Reconciliations, Affirmations, Farewells, and Thoughts about your destination.  Here are some suggestions for building your RAFT.

·         Reconciliations.  Even during a two week period disagreements may arise about issues, and the resulting tensions need to be resolved.  List below people with whom you still have tensions resulting from differences in the way you view time, methods of construction, worship style, or any other issues.

Now actually go to and tell them you are sorry the conflict has occurred.  Telling them you are sorry does not mean you are admitting wrong-doing, just that you wish the conflict had not occurred.

·         Affirmations.  On your trip people have helped you in various ways for which you are grateful.  List below such people as those who led your team, been on your team, cooked for you, hosted you in their homes, interpreted for you, and done any other helpful things.

Now actually go and thank them in a culturally appropriate way.  This may mean a handshake, a pat on the back, a hug, or a kiss.

·         Farewells. You have become acquainted with new people on your trip.  List below people you will be leaving behind and want to tell goodbye, such as children in your VBS class, those who sang with you, those who traveled with you to see things, and so forth.

Now actually go and tell them goodbye.  This brings closure to your time with them and insures good relationships enduring in your absence.  You may be surprised at who you meet again.

·         Think destination.  Of course, you have been thinking about going home since you arrived, but now is the time to make sure all is in order to get home.  List below things you need to check on, such as email or skype the person who is to meet you at the airport, make sure your passport is where you think it is, confirm your reservation with the airline, and so forth.

Passport available (you can’t leave without it) _____________

Preserve Memories

            Although you may believe that you will never forget the experiences you have had during your short-term service, those memories will fade.  However, if you have been keeping a journal or diary or notebook, you are more likely to remember the experiences.  In addition, you may want to do the following two things to help preserve memories

• Real objects.  This is the time to collect some objects that will help you remember the country and culture where you have been serving.  Of course, you can buy things created as souvenirs – small ones, ones that mean something to you, not just things with the name of the country painted on them.  However, do not overlook the common everyday things that have been part of life there, such as small toys children in your class play with, local musical instruments you have seen people play, a small flag of the country and so forth.  List below some of the items you want to collect to take with you.

• Digital media. In this digital age, you can carry thousands of pictures and hours of video on DVDs, CDs, and flash drives.  Take pictures and video of people, places, and favorite things of all kinds.  List below some of the items, persons, and places you want to include in your pictures or videos.

Lower Expectations

            Expectations are things you believe will happen in the future.  If your expectations are appropriate, you are likely to have feelings of excitement, satisfaction, and accomplishment.  However, if your expectations are too high, you may have feelings of disappointment, confusion, hurt, and frustration.

            If you expect your friends and family to be as excited as you are about what you did, to keep their eyes glued to your pictures, and to hang on every word you have to say, your expectations are probably too high.  If you expect them to ply you with questions and to increase their giving to people in other cultures, your expectations are probably too high.  Bert Jones, CEO of GO InterNational says you will meet four kinds of people when you return:

·         Those who did not even realize you were gone.  They forgot you went anywhere.

·         Those who thought you were on vacation.  They knew you were gone, but remembered only that it was a trip.

·         Those who are only casually interested.  They knew you did some kind of short-term service but want only a two-minute summary of the highlights.

·         Those who really want to hear about it.  This is the smallest group, and you want to continue giving information only as long as they show interest.

Raise Awareness

            For a few months after you return, it is good to occasionally examine yourself to see if you can detect any of the following traits appearing.  These things tend to occur in people returning from service in another culture.  If you periodically look at your attitudes, you can prevent them from becoming entrenched.

·         Disappointment.  Things that are exciting and important to you seem so “ho-hum” to your friends and family.

·         Rejecting.  You are distancing yourself from uninterested people and from your culture.

·         Nostalgic.  Most people want to be back with team members and nationals, but do not let that hurt your current relationships.

·         Negative.  You find a general negativity about everything in life developing in yourself.

·         Alienated.  Others begin distancing themselves from you because of your attitudes.

·         Judgmental.  Other people do not have the same view of things, so you begin to condemn them.

·         Argumentative.  If your value system has been changed because of your service, you may find yourself arguing about deeply held positions in your friends, positions you previously held.

·         Spiritually Superior.  You may find yourself believing that you are more spiritual than others who live like you used to live. 

If you check yourself and ask trusted others to tell you when they see these traits appearing, you can avoid becoming something you would like to avoid.