Skip to main content

Re-Entry

Re-entry means many different things for each one of us.  It also affects each one of us differently.  There can be many times where someone comes back to the states and is not at all bothered by re-entry and then for some reason this time re-entry hit hard and ugly.  If you don't know what re-entry is let me define it as making adjustments from living life overseas back to life at home (passport country).  Adjusting your expectations that are both conscious and unconscious with family, friends, and fellow countrymen.  Going through reverse cultural shock in that when living overseas you adjust to learn how to live in another culture so when coming back home (passport country) it's readjusting to how your home-culture lives.

I was looking forward to spending time with all my family for our Christmas celebration and as I wanted to help, my sister asked to me get her some things from the grocery store.  I said no problem.  When I arrived at Giant and started looking for the items on my list I became very overwhelmed in just stepping inside as it is HUGE.  One thing on my list was whole wheat bread.  Do you know how many options I had to choose from for just whole wheat bread?  I probably stood there weighing my options for about like 5 minutes before deciding on one.  Another item on my list was a box of Nutri grain strawberry bars.  There were soft chew, crunchy, and another option that all had strawberries.  Even though Giant was only a few miles away from my sister's, I am not kidding it  took me like an hour to get only like 6 things and one I just refused because I had no clue out of all the options.  You have to realize that my grocery store is big but not like warehouse big and for wheat bread I may only have two options:  fresh whole wheat bread or Bimble's whole wheat bread.  This is an example of reverse culture shock.

I said I was looking forward to spending Christmas with my family since I haven't in 3 or 4 years and I prepared myself mentally but there came a point during our time together where I felt out of place and lonely.  It wasn't anything that my family did or didn't do but just realizing that I have to intentionally re-connect with them and what they have been doing since I was gone and that takes time and energy and effort.  At my breaking point God gave me two verses,  Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."  As I kept reciting those verses in my head I realized that even in this I do not have to understand why I am breaking down, or why I feel out of place and lonely in my own family but TRUST in God with all my heart and know that He is God and he will make everything turn out just right.

Part of re-entry is also sharing with the people what God is doing in the lives of people both in Honduras and the North Americans.  I would love to share with you over a cup of coffee/tea or a meal.  If you are interested please post a comment on this blog.

Comments

  1. Shannon, I would love to meet you someday in Grove City for coffee. I think you already have my email address.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not sure who you are if you could let me know I'd then love to meet you for coffee.

      Delete
  2. Shannon, I would love to meet you someday in Grove City for coffee. I think you already have my email address.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

October Newsletter

  SHANNON’S CORNER The Saga Continues… The trip to Malaysia consisted of a two-day spiritual retreat with the theme of ‘Come Away With Me’ and a six-day conference with about 230 missionaries who serve in some aspect of translating the Scriptures. One of the many people who I met was a missionary who served in Cameroon for many years and now is in a new role. As he was sharing, most his words were very negative and depressive. I encouraged him to sign up for a time of prayer and care. At the end of the retreat, this missionary shared with me that he did have a session and I could see that his whole countenance changed, and he was hopeful. His new word he used to describe where he was now is ‘delightful.’ Our time there was creating a safe space for these missionaries to have a place to share what they are struggling with and to connect with Jesus. One missionary is at a crossroads in her life. Another finds himself in the midst of betrayal. A missionary is in a new role as a caregi...

August Newsletter

  SHANNON’S CORNER Camp News! Cherry Run Camp is my green pasture and quiet waters where the Lord continuously restores my soul.  This camp was even more special as I was invited to be the missionary in residence for the nine days of camp. Sharing with all age groups about missions and how as believers and followers of Christ we are all called to go and make disciples by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. It was a week that was fulfilling to be with my family and the family of God as we fellowshipped one with another. As missionaries, we first need to make connections and build relationships with people before sharing the Good News. The youth were given the mission to level up: 1) make connection by introducing themselves to people and making them feel welcomed; 2) ask the person what they need prayer for; 3) the youth to pray with the person on the spot; 4) the youth to share their testimony; and 5) the person is asked to share their testimony.  The yo...

January Newsletter

    SHANNON’S CORNER Winter Blast… Brr. It’s cold outside.  Winter is not a favorite season for many people, but I love winter. There is a beauty in the dormant, snow covered, and coldness of winter that embraces and permeates us to the depths of our bones.  It reminds me of the Lord’s love that embraces and permeates us to the depths of our heart and soul.  The snow brings a smile to my face as I delight in the quietness, calming, beautifying, and a slower pace.  Recently, I was talking with someone in Louisiana who was going to be making a snowman and snow angel with his granddaughter.  What playfulness and awe to experience the Lord’s beauty. Community is so important to our lives that even the Lord noticed how alone Adam was in the garden that He made Eve.  It is where you are seen, known, and find belonging.  It has been something I have prayed for, asked you all to be praying for, have sought after in ...