Pondering SIM Start

I learned some things that surprised me during lectures at SIM Start.

They said we will have more stress than we have ever experienced in life. Fatigue on the mission field is apparently universal. They said that we might get only 6 hours of work done in a 8-10 hour work day due to the length of time spent just trying to get things to work there that we take for granted here. Electronics are particularly unreliable there. In dusty areas they can be rendered useless in a very short period of time.

We should "tone down expectations" or find ourselves discontented. We should never be satisfied with the lack of accomplishment as we expected, but we should learn to live with it. A snippet of advice that sticks with me is "Ruthlessly eliminate hurry in your life."

More positive lessons were: Be convinced your steps are God ordained. Be a lifelong learner. Missions happens face to face, one at a time. Recognize that I am finite, but God isn't.

They encouraged us to write down our expectations, then we discussed some of them and how it may be necessary to adjust them.

Sheila's expectations:

• I will use my skills to establish trust and relationships with people.
• Health lessons I teach will be believed and at least part of the time put into practice.
• I will have a roommate with whom to debrief, pray and relax with.
• I will have at least once weekly access to email to stay in communication with friends and family in the States.
• Friendships will form with national women and children.
• I will give and receive emotional and spiritual support from team members.
• I will grow closer to Jesus.
• I will see nationals come to know Jesus and grow in their faith.
• I will stay healthy and that my financial support will be in when I need it.
• I will have a good relationship with all of the missionaries on the team, regardless of country of origin, different cultures, different denominations, different ages, etc.
• I will maintain a positive, unselfish and compassionate attitude.