Expectations...

Expectations can be high. Sometimes they are too low. Sound familiar?

While completing our pre-field training (ie missionary bootcamp) at the Center for Intercultural Training (CIT), they challenged us to consider our expectations. Interesting. What do I expect of my family? What do I expect of my friends? What about churches?

Even more difficult question: What do they all expect of us? Oftentimes disagreements come up. Expectations are not established. We argue. We misunderstand. We fail one another. We fail ourselves.

We want to set realistic expectations. Not only for our ministry but also for our personal lives. We want to give ourselves time to really improve our Spanish. To learn a new Spanish accent. To take the time necessary to learn Uruguayan culture, worldview, interests, and heroes. It does take time.

We want to discuss expectations with family, friends, churches and others. Do you know why? We value you. Yep, you got it. We value you. If we understand the expectations (ie "the rules for playing the game"), we'll understand one another, we'll encourage one another, we'll be less frustrated with one another, we'll reduce surprises and show grace when surprises do occur.

What are your expectations of us? Share with us. Not only your expectations of what we'll do but of how you'd like us to serve you. To keep in touch. To call. To email. To skype.

Discussing expectations builds healthy relationships. Be on the lookout for future blog posts about what our expectations are for family, friends, and churches. Don't read "expectation" as "requirement." Read it more as a hope or desire.

We expect to let others down. Others will let us down. We hope to continue to build relationships in new ways. Distance may be a struggle. But relationships can and will evolve. I mean, after all...what did you expect? :)

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