Over the years, as I have talked to people returning from overseas, especially from those returning from the third-world, one recurring theme has been that people were shocked by the cultural differences they encountered. In some cases, it was the differences in food. For others it was the different understanding of time, personal space, or privacy. For some it was the lack of reliable electricity or the constant struggle to have pure drinking water. Others were almost paralyzed by the poverty and desperate situations they saw. Whatever the reason, those serving overseas, whether short or long-term, experience all of these things to some extent. No one in immune. The key is how you respond to issues like these and it is your response that will determine how effective you will be in the ministry that God has called you to. If you are able to move past the initial shock and adapt to the situation, you will be able truly identify with the people you have come to serve and be able to reach out effectively.
This type of situation is not unique for people moving into a cross-cultural situations. Those who serve our communities in the military, law enforcement, or fire/paramedic rescue are well aware that dealing with stressful, shocking, or unfamiliar situations is difficult and that only way to ensure that they will respond in an appropriate fashion is preparation. In each of the aforementioned cases, people in these professions study, train, and rehearse what they will do when confronted by difficult situations, so when the time comes, they automatically know what to do and do it. Similar opportunities are also available for those who a planning to serve cross-culturally, especially for those serving in the third-world. One of the best facilities for this type of training is the HEART Missionary Training Institute in Lake Wales, FL.
The HEART program (Hunger Education and Resource Training) is a unique facility, located in central Florida, with the primary goal of preparing missionaries and community development workers for service in the third-world. The training takes place in the midst of a simulated third-world village where the students live and work as if they were living in the third-world. Shelters are simple 2×4 plywood cabins. There is not indoor plumbing, limited or no electricity, water that must be pumped and purified, pit latrines, and the students live together, in community working together to carry out the tasks necessary for daily life. Were this the entirety of the HEART program, this in and of itself would invaluable for people planning to serve cross-culturally. While it is not exact, the students get a strong sense of what life will be like in the third-world, in a safe and controlled environment. The net result is that after going through the HEART program, the realities of life in third-world loose their sting because the student has already experienced and survived in a similar situation.
However, the HEART program does not stop there. In addition to the experiences of community life in a third-world setting, HEART offers a fully accredited set of courses in community development, cross-cultural ministry, and personal spiritual development. The community development curriculum includes courses in sustainable agriculture, appropriate technology, nutrition, health care, and small animal husbandry. The program is offered in two formats. Starting in the Fall, each year running from September thru December, the program is offered in a 15 week semester and can be taken for college credit. This is the premiere program offered through HEART and provides the most benefit for the student. The second format is a 3 week condensed version of the training that typically runs in May each year. Both programs are appropriate for singles as well as families. The shorter 3 week program is especially appropriate for those who are serving on a short term basis.
In our preparation for our ministry in Africa, this was one of the best things that my family and I ever did. If you are considering the HEART program, send me an email and I would be glad to share about our experiences in greater detail. You can also check out HEART’s web site a www.heartvillage.org.
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