Kirsten Miller
January 29, 2008
Week #9
One of the adjustments I’ve been experiencing in Venezuela is the clash that results from the United States social culture in me, meeting the social culture of Latin America. Coming from the U.S. culture, it is easy for me to evaluate my days based on how much I have accomplished or completed. The Latin American culture, however, is centered around relationships, rather than time and the accomplishment of tasks. Scheduled times are relative, activities are quickly set aside to spend time with a friend who stops by at your house, and plans seem to be changing continually to accommodate peoples’ needs. In order for me to engage more fully with the people of this culture, I need to learn to hold my time and my plans more loosely in my hands, allowing God to shape them as I go through each day. At times, this means forgetting about the list of things I have waiting to be finished, and just sitting and talking with people. If I’m always caught up in what I want to accomplish and the schedules I have lined up in my head, I am going to miss a lot of opportunities that God has for me. At times, learning this lesson is harder than other times, but I hope to return to the United States reflecting a bit more of the Venezuelan culture and mindset in my life.
Praises:
-general health of the team
-the opportunities and lessons God has brought to us
Prayer Requests:
-continued health and safety
-the renewal of our temporary visas by Feb. 26... we hope to be able to do this inside of the country
-the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives...that God would open and close doors as He desires
-that we would have God's eyes in considering new outreach opportunities
-Shalom: the church congregation and our relationships with them
As the living body, we are striving to
join God's work through obedience and faithfulin Venezuela. To be bold in work and deed with Christ as our foundation.
witness
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
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1 comment:
kirsten, I enjoyed your newsletter and blog entry. You are inspiring!!! I wish there were more pictures on the blog. I would love to see the country you are in. Hopefully you are taking lots and I will see them when you get home.
Love Ya!!!
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