yesterday training was very interesting. We were given the assignment of making up rules for our cultures, simulating those cultures as small groups, and then visiting other cultures and hosting other cultures.
It taught us a lot of about how easy it is to view differences as negatives.
In some ways we didn't fall prey to the negative impressions but in other ways we did. Honestly this exercise encouraged us more that we're prepared for this than it did to discouraged us that we are not mentally prepared for culture differences.
This morning, the kids waited at the bus stop in the freezing cold for 20 minutes, until we realized "perhaps the bus isn't coming"
We called the school, "sir, the school is closed today" in a polite southern drawl.
What now? We still have class to go to. This never happens in the silicon valley.
So today we're attempting to juggle watching the kids with both of us in class and giving our 8 minute oral presentations.
The phone jsut rang, grown-up school is starting an hour late, but they are working on something for the school age kids. So that is good.
Another day, another way to remain flexible.
Being flexible takes different amounts of energy for different personality types. Probably the most important part of being a missionary is to remain flexible. You come across and live in tight quarters with people from all over the U.S. here, and all over the World in PNG.
