Re-Orientation

If you were to list the top ten impacting events or experiences in your life, what would they be?

Have you ever tried to explain one of those experiences to someone who had not been through the same thing?

It was probably very difficult. Not simply because they didn’t understand, but because it created all kinds of strange emotions within you. When no one really gets what you’re talking about, you begin to doubt the validity of your experience. You can even begin to feel very lonely. Nevertheless you know that you are different. In time, (depending on the amount of emotional support you received) the experience was tempered and absorbed into your personality and worldview.

When we were shaping YMI, we were concerned what would happen when our students attempted to re-engage in their local context. We wanted them to become more engaged, not less engaged. We decided that it was important to be intentional about helping students assimilate and apply their experiences into their lives at home.

There are multiple ways we have aimed to solve this potential problem. First, while we were overseas, each of the YMI students discussed their plans with us for the following semester. They discussed plans for spiritual involvement, cultural engagement, and any other application to which God had called them. We prayed, listened, and sought God together.

The second way we have aimed to help with the transition is by maintaining our relationships with them so that they can continue to verbally process the strange thoughts and emotions. We wanted to be at least a little of the support they needed to positively assimilate their experiences at YMI.

This month, Amanda, Abi, and I have really enjoyed visiting with some of our former YMI students. We took a trip to visit some of our former summer staff and Yale, one of our students at Southwest Baptist University in Boliver, MO. Two days ago, we had Peter, another of our students, and his girlfriend over for desert.

Though it has not been easy, our former YMI students seem to be doing well. They are participating in ministry, walking in the spiritual disciplines, and trying to be part of a local community of believers. Please pray as we continue to assist and encourage them. Pray they would not forget what God has done.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support which make this type of ministry possible.