Journaling Guidelines (by Jenny Collins)
Experienced travelers and short-termers find that maintaining a journal for descriptions, observations, analysis and personal application of your experiences before and during the project helps make the difference between a “sanctified vacation” and a lifechanging experience. Journals will provide the basis for your conversations with mentors and others after the trip. It is an opportunity for you to remember what God showed you long after the event, and to ask the questions in the moment that you will want to reflect on later.
You will have time each day of the trip to journal. Include the following three elements in each entry:
i. Description: keep a record of events, people, cultural information, service project/ministry, interactions, decisions, successes, problems, etc.
ii. Analysis: make connections between your experience and the content from the textbooks and preparation; analyze and evaluate what you have described and how you view and respond to the events, people, culture, service, etc.
iii. Application: Relate the course material and service experience to your personal life, including changes in your faith, goals, values, attitudes and behavior as a result of the project.
“By slowing us down and prompting us to think more deeply about God, journaling helps us feel more deeply (and biblically) about God. It provides an opportunity for the intangible grays of mindwork and heartwork to distill clearly into black and white. Then we’re better able to talk to God with both mind and spirit”
--D. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, p. 200
“In solitude, the wonder of the everyday is clearer. We see God’s provisions with a different eye. They become the object of our thirst instead of the flavorless essence of the everyday that we take for granted. If we are attentive, he will expose the strategy of the enemy in our lives and strengthen us to stand. And we will encounter the invisible one”
--K. Thomas, Simplicity, p. 69
For your journal feel free to be creative and include drawings, poetry, lyrics, scrapbook items…
a) Describe:
i) Your goals/expectations for yourself, the team, the hosts, the service project
ii) The culture and language differences (values, needs, religion, beliefs, education, lifestyle, food, customs, social issues, economy, government, geography/climate, etc.)
iii) The nationals you meet
iv) The missionaries and Christian leaders and their character/conduct
v) The service you are doing
vi) Your travel, team meetings, a “typical day,” decisions, successes, problems, etc.
b) Analyze:
i) Make connections between what you have studied and are now experiencing
ii) Do your expectations match your experiences? Describe how they do or do not
iii) What are your reactions, thoughts and feelings to the things you have described?
c) Apply:
i) Reflect on how the above impacts your personal life
ii) What changes do you want to make in your goals, spiritual life, values, attitudes, participation, etc.?
iii) What are you learning about the world, God’s global purposes and your role within them?
iv) What are you learning about Christ, the global church, and the elements of personal character required for effective cross-cultural ministry?
v) What does it mean to be a “world Christian”? To live a life consistent with the biblical view of world missions, Christian service and life stewardship? Will this change your response to Panamanian culture?
d) Use the journal as a reference when you return for
i) Presentations to churches and groups
ii) Talking with family and friends
iii) Long-term reflection
2) Questions to Help You Keep a Journal:
· What fears or worries do you have about this trip? How are you doing at turning them over to God?
· Who is Jesus to you? Are you ready to proclaim him and share his love?
· How do you see yourself fitting in with your team? What roles do you play? Are you ready to be a servant?
· What are your initial perceptions of: The leaders? Team members? Ministry activities? Hosts? Nationals?
· Have you felt comfortable relating to the nationals so far? Why or why not? Describe them.
· What do you like about your host country and people? What do you dislike?
· What are you noticing about the culture’s values, customs, religion, social issues, etc.?
· What are some negative value judgments you have found yourself thinking? Are they biased?
· Self examination: Have you been grateful? Fulfilled your obligations? Been a positive influence? Been a team player? Been culturally sensitive?
· What have been your most fulfilling/joyful experiences? Most frustrating/difficult experiences?
· What is something you’ve thought, felt or done that you wish you could do differently?
· How is the Christian worship/culture different from what you are used to?
· What is one story you will use to explain what you’ve experienced to your family, friends and church?
· What has God shown you about: Him? His Word? Prayer? Yourself? Your relationship with Him? Your relationships with others? Your view of other cultures? Your values/worldview? Your standard of living?
