Defining Expectations Expectations Defining Expectations The act of state of looking forward of anticipating Expectations Defining Expectations But, as with anything else there are unforeseen complications lying like crocodiles among the green river grass. St. Kilda (Elmer, 2002, p. 54) Expectations Defining Expectations Everyone has expectations about life in another culture. These gremlins hide in our pockets and sit unseen on our shoulders. (Elmer, 2002, p. 54) Expectations 1 st Term My Expectation My Reality Expectations 1 st Term My Expectation Good relationships with coworkers. My Reality Had conflict with our assigned supervisor from the Language & Orientation Committee. Expectations 1 st Term My Expectation Study hard and learn language well My Reality Language was frustrating. Slow progress. Couldnt spend the time I wanted to on language study because I had small children. Expectations 1 st Term My Expectation We went to do church planting among the least reached Hakka people. My Reality We had to push the L&O Committee and the field council to place us in a Hakka church plant for our internship. Expectations 1 st Term My Expectation Thought wed be in church planting internship with Isabel or Scott & Leslie My Reality Isabel had left Taiwan by the time we started our internship and the Powells were moving to Taichung as Area Director. Expectations 1 st Term My Expectation Thought we would work with a national pastor for our internship and would be mentored by him in some way. My Reality Pastor was Hakka Chinese from Indonesia. He was threatened by us and went around town gossiping and spreading untruth about us and our SEND coworker. Expectations 1 st Term My Expectation Things would be okay at home with our family. My Reality Toms dad died in an accident 3 months after we arrived on the field. My grandmother died from negligence in her nursing home. Expectations 1 st Term My Expectation Thought I would make friends with Taiwanese. My Reality Never could have imagined the deep friendships that would develop with Taiwanese. Other Areas from 1 st Term Missionaries: Physical Strain Less Energy than Home Country Disorientation Pressing Personal Needs Expectations How do we manage our own expectations? Expectations How do we manage our own expectations? Set realistic expectations Expectations How do we manage our own expectations? Set realistic expectations Identify expectations ahead of time Expectations How do we manage our own expectations? Set realistic expectations Identify expectations ahead of time Expectations How do we deal with unmet expectations? Expectations How do we deal with unmet expectations? Stop Expectations How do we deal with unmet expectations? Stop Suspend judgment Expectations How do we deal with unmet expectations? Stop Suspend judgment Ask why Expectations How do we deal with unmet expectations? Stop Suspend judgment Ask why Pray Expectations