Funny title, huh?
Well, I'm here to give you a few tips of things to expect when you're planning a trip out of your home country to serve where the need is greater.
Here are my top three things you should expect, especially for a young person. Of course, there's gonna be a lot more to expect, but I'd say these are three things I would go back and tell my younger self before moving...
1) Be ready for changes.
This seems pretty obvious to say the least, and I knew it'd be something to be ready for. But it's truly is something that you need to realize.
Little changes and big changes alike, there's going to be a lot to get used to. Some things may be that you'll need to adjust to a new language. That can be something that can really catch you by surprise. Or even little things like not having hot showers everyday or not being able to buy a chocolate bar as easily as before, can be a hard change for others.
Maybe things like bugs or lizards are something you're not used to back home. Or maybe not having a data plan on your phone or the wifi kinda sucking 24/7. These are changes that could be small to some and pretty big to others.
Culture shock can be something that can hit some really hard. Maybe the way people talk, dress or even small things like different greetings can be something very new to some. And it can be difficult.
So it's important to learn humility. Learn to live without some things now so its easier on you when you arrive at your new temporary home.
It can take a lot of time to adjust to any new changes, but of course with Jehovah's help, you will always get through it... and you'll always have a lot of fun.
2) Don't expect people to come to you first.
Making new friends in a new place can be scary. Sometimes it's hard to get the courage to "make the first move" so to speak and talk to someone you've never met before. But don't always expect others to make the first move either.
It might be just as scary for them to go up and talk to these 'new kids' walking into their congregation.
So, don't be afraid.
Whether you're the 'new kids' arriving in a new place or someone welcoming the newcomers, it's all a little scary sometimes. But once you make that first move, you might be able to make some true friends for life.
3) Don't expect to like everything about where you go.
A lot of times when people talk about moving somewhere out of the country, they only talk about the good things. Which is great.
But don't think that means you'll like everything about where you go. There'll always be the good's and the bad's. And that's ok. If you go somewhere and you think "this isn't for me", don't feel bad or like you 'failed'.
Jehovah always understands that sometimes things are not what we expect them to be and if maybe we can't go through with it, he won't hold it against us. He will never ask for more than what we can handle or do. If you find yourself in that "there's more things I don't like than do" situation, I'd say to stick it for the time you promised Jehovah you'd stay. Keep a positive attitude and surround yourself with the people and things you do like and enjoy.
Even if it wasn't the greatest experience you've ever had, at least you have those two weeks, three months or year somewhere else under your belt. And you get to say that you did that.
If moving where the need is great is something that isn't for you, there is always gonna be dozens of other things you can do for Jehovah. But try. Try them all!
Of course, in my experience, most of the time, you end up having a great time. But there's always gonna be something you may not like. And that's ok. There's never Pros without any Cons. ;)
If I hadn't realized these three tips, I think it would've been a lot harder for me to move where the need is great. Maybe we wouldn't even be here.
But with these three tips and with Jehovah's help, you'll always have a great time.
Well, I'm here to give you a few tips of things to expect when you're planning a trip out of your home country to serve where the need is greater.
Here are my top three things you should expect, especially for a young person. Of course, there's gonna be a lot more to expect, but I'd say these are three things I would go back and tell my younger self before moving...
1) Be ready for changes.
This seems pretty obvious to say the least, and I knew it'd be something to be ready for. But it's truly is something that you need to realize.
Little changes and big changes alike, there's going to be a lot to get used to. Some things may be that you'll need to adjust to a new language. That can be something that can really catch you by surprise. Or even little things like not having hot showers everyday or not being able to buy a chocolate bar as easily as before, can be a hard change for others.
Maybe things like bugs or lizards are something you're not used to back home. Or maybe not having a data plan on your phone or the wifi kinda sucking 24/7. These are changes that could be small to some and pretty big to others.
Culture shock can be something that can hit some really hard. Maybe the way people talk, dress or even small things like different greetings can be something very new to some. And it can be difficult.
So it's important to learn humility. Learn to live without some things now so its easier on you when you arrive at your new temporary home.
It can take a lot of time to adjust to any new changes, but of course with Jehovah's help, you will always get through it... and you'll always have a lot of fun.
2) Don't expect people to come to you first.
Making new friends in a new place can be scary. Sometimes it's hard to get the courage to "make the first move" so to speak and talk to someone you've never met before. But don't always expect others to make the first move either.
It might be just as scary for them to go up and talk to these 'new kids' walking into their congregation.
So, don't be afraid.
Whether you're the 'new kids' arriving in a new place or someone welcoming the newcomers, it's all a little scary sometimes. But once you make that first move, you might be able to make some true friends for life.
3) Don't expect to like everything about where you go.
A lot of times when people talk about moving somewhere out of the country, they only talk about the good things. Which is great.
But don't think that means you'll like everything about where you go. There'll always be the good's and the bad's. And that's ok. If you go somewhere and you think "this isn't for me", don't feel bad or like you 'failed'.
Jehovah always understands that sometimes things are not what we expect them to be and if maybe we can't go through with it, he won't hold it against us. He will never ask for more than what we can handle or do. If you find yourself in that "there's more things I don't like than do" situation, I'd say to stick it for the time you promised Jehovah you'd stay. Keep a positive attitude and surround yourself with the people and things you do like and enjoy.
Even if it wasn't the greatest experience you've ever had, at least you have those two weeks, three months or year somewhere else under your belt. And you get to say that you did that.
If moving where the need is great is something that isn't for you, there is always gonna be dozens of other things you can do for Jehovah. But try. Try them all!
Of course, in my experience, most of the time, you end up having a great time. But there's always gonna be something you may not like. And that's ok. There's never Pros without any Cons. ;)
If I hadn't realized these three tips, I think it would've been a lot harder for me to move where the need is great. Maybe we wouldn't even be here.
But with these three tips and with Jehovah's help, you'll always have a great time.