Re-Entry: Resources & Networking

The practicality and logistics can be overwhelming and daunting with re-entry. Whether it be getting ready to pack up and leave your host country, arriving to your passport country or you have been a while in your passport country there are many details that need attending. This is where having lists can be helpful even if you are not a list person because with high levels of stress and decreased capacity for decision-making and though processes, lists help to show you what needs to be done. Lists can become overwhelming so it is important to just do what you can manage for each day.

Why are resources and networking valuable?

New re-entry arrivals and even into your first couple of years it is valuable to have people resources to help you navigate back into your passport culture. They are people to help teach, explain, and answer your questions about the social norms, nuances, and current pop culture that have changed since living overseas. Your helpers in navigating the various social environments such as the workplace, schools, and churches as things may have changed since you have been gone. Those who can help you in navigating the everyday living needs as you learn your new community and find places and things, especially if it is a new state, city, or town than where you originally lived.

If you are further in the re-entry journey, it is still important to have these people resources as there can be transitions along the journey. Sometimes there is transition with moving again, career changes, kids transitioning to new schools and/or university. Identifying who these people are is very helpful in making your transition be smooth and seamless.

Other resources that are valuable when leaving your host country are things such as shutting off utilities, packing, donating, selling, passing off work responsibilities, maybe training others to take on your work roles, buying tickets, transportation to the airport, accommodations, who will pick you up from airport to just name a few.

Resources that are valuable to think through and list for your passport country include but are not limited to:

• Accommodations – Housing

• Transportation

• Career Opportunities

• Continued education, licensing, etc.

• Financial adjustments and challenges

• Healthcare system

• School for kids – University

Even though in re-entry our relational capacity can be very low because of higher levels of stress and higher emotional needs in transition, it is still valuable to network. Networking can help us either become engaged or stay engaged with our community, our industry of work, and can lead to new opportunities for growth and advancement.

Looking for a great way to network? Join the 'Are We There Yet? Navigating Re-Entry' Facebook group. Look forward to seeing you there.

Comments

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...

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 ...

March Newsletter

SHANNON’S CORNER Connect. Nurture. Grow. An unexpected and unplanned trip led me to see God’s marvelous and wonderful work at the Assist Pregnancy Center. I learned from the staff that this pregnancy center is unique and different in that the population they serve are women who come already with an 85-90% decision made of aborting their babies. The medical staff who are in the rooms with the women during their ultrasounds share Jesus with them and are compassionate witnesses to each baby as they are seen, valued, and loved. If the mother decides to have the baby the center walks alongside with the mother and family. I had the precious privilege to facilitate a training with all the staff of the pregnancy center to talk about the Wounds from the Work. Listening to their stories of how the Lord called them to work at this pregnancy center and what the cost has been to them, and their families was sacred ground. Creating a safe place for them to be seen and heard in thei...

Shannon's Corner

Search This Blog