My synopsis and personal application of the book “Culture Shock.”

Introduction:
One thing mentioned in the intro that stuck out to me was, “If the new worker can maintain a healthy self-esteem, in spite of the heavy stress laid on him, he will probably make a successful cross-cultural transition.”
Well, I think I’ve failed miserably at this. In spite of the complements given by mentors and co-workers, my self esteem levels are possibly at an all time low. I believe this is mostly due to the expectations (or unmet expectations) I have placed on myself.

Chapter 1
I can relate to this whole chapter, “Stress and it’s consequences.” I can especially relate to the “flight or fight” reactions that are described when people are put under extreme amounts of stress. My personality type doesn’t much fit the “flight” style of reaction. But I have caught myself fighting and arguing over many little things, stupid things, things that I wouldn’t have allowed to affect me in the States. I’ve thought terrible things about people and struck out at them in verbal attacks, and even a couple of times come close to physically attacking them. Thank God for the Comforter who deeply convicts me when I do stupid things.

Chapter 2
I didn’t get much out of this chapter, except for this little punch below the belt. “A proud person is one who does not love himself very much and, in order to make himself feel better, acts so as to convince others and himself of his worthiness and superiority. People who are truly self-loving have no need to be conceited.”
Enough said!

Chapter 3
“Language shock is one of the biggest ingredients of culture shock.” ¡¡AMEN!! Almost all of my shock personally has been due to my inability to communicate. I know I could have avoided many arguments, saved a lot of money, and kept some of my hair a little longer had I walked into this country speaking Spanish. If I had it to do over, I would have studied more of the language before coming.

Chapter 4
“The mission field is no place for lazy, undisciplined people.” Or it’s the perfect place for them! No, the author is right, it is no place for them if they want to honor God with their lives, but that would be the same no matter the location. I have realized in my short time here that there is no accountability for missionaries. Even for groups like ours that are close knit and personal. One can still coast through, lazy and undisciplined. That’s why I want more than ever to stay as close as I can to Jesus. I’ve realized that others can stay on my back about things and it not affect me, but when the Holy Spirit gets a hold of me, it’s a different story. I’ve realized that He is my motivation; He is my reason to get up; He is my reason to work hard; and He is who I am accountable to.

Chapter 5
“The veterans don’t seem as spiritual as the men portrayed in the biographies of C.T. Studd and Hudson Taylor.” That’s because they weren’t as spiritual as their wives and children made them out to be. I need to remember that these bio’s that I read are bits and pieces of their lives that they wanted me to see. They can and do give false expectation. I have been guilty of holding co-laborers to a standard that is not reasonable, a standard that I myself do not meet. I have realized that the normal daily routine of a missionary looks much like the normal daily routine of a good pastor.

Chapter 6
“Fifteen Steps for Survival”

1. Set Reasonable Goals
2. Don’t Take Your Job Description too Seriously
3. Be Committed to Joy
4. Maintain Good Emotional Health
5. Remember That You are Human
6. Don’t be Afraid of Being a Little Eccentric
7. Be Flexible
8. Don’t Take Yourself too Seriously
9. Reduce Your Stress Where Possible
10. Make Your Culture Change Gradual
11. Forgive Yourself: Forgive Others
12. Establish Some Close Friends With People From the Host Country
13. Be Thankful
14. Be an Encourager
15. Take Courage; Someone Understands

Chapter 7
“Suggestions to Senior Missionaries for Helping New Recruits”

• Give the new workers measurable and attainable goals.
• Don’t let yourself feel threatened by the coming of new workers.
• Don’t underestimate the stress of culture change.
• Take a vacation.
• Treat the new workers as an equal person.
• Believe in people.

This is an incredible little book that every person who is even considering becoming a missionary should read!

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