Overcoming Home-sickness 


Welcome

In a scale of 1-5 with 5 representing the best, how would you rate your week? Why? Of the 4 stages of adjustment (honeymoon, hostility, humor, home) which most characterized your week? 

Scripture Reading :  Philippians 4:11b-13

"I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

Breadwinners of the family are supposed to be strong and sacrifice ourselves for the good of the family. Our families need us to be strong, but often we feel weak. We don't know what our employer wants. Nothing we do seems to make them happy. We miss our families and our culture, and the stress and pressure is often TOO MUCH TO HANDLE. 

The apostle Paul during his travels experienced shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment, sickness, hunger, conflicts, misunderstandings, etc. and still he says "I have learned the secret of living in every situation" (bad or good). What is the secret according to Paul?

You will soon discover that in HK you will not be able to handle the stress, temptation, discouragement, homesickness, etc. by yourself. There will come a time when you say "I can't take it anymore. I want to go home! 

I can't do it!" You are right! By yourself, you cannot handle the stress and hardship of work in HK.


BUT YOU ARE NOT "BY YOURSELF".  You have 2 resources to help you:

  • Christ himself: "I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength!"

  • The Community of Faith: other Christians

Pray: If you don't yet know Christ personally, invite him to come into your life and help you. 

Lesson: Overcoming Homesickness

  1. Ano ang senyales ng homesickness? Magdala ng 1/4 sheet of paper para isulat nila ang mga sagot. Some answers: natutulala, makakali-mutin, sobrang lungkot, awa sa sarili. 

  2. Hanggang kailan ito? Ang pagiging homesick ay depende sa karanasan ng isang tao. Kung ngayon pa lamang nahiwalay sa pamilya o nag-ibang bansa mas madaling ma-homesick. Ito ay depende rin sa personali-dad ng isang tao. May mga taong flexible kaya mas mabilis maka-adjust sa bagong kultura at hindi masyadong hinahanap-hanap ang kinagisnang kultura. Usually by 3rd month naka-adjust na. Bagama’t pagpasok ng ika-7-8 buwan bumabalik ito at tuwing panahon rin ng kapaskuhan o special occasions.

  3. Paano ito malalampasan? Ipasulat sa kani-lang mga notebook ang mga sumusunod: 

 K-ontakin ng regular ang pamilya. Maaring sa simula ay araw-araw hanggang maging lingguhan. Gawin ito sa labas ng oras ng trabaho.

A-liwin ang sarili. Kumanta, magbasa,  magsulat, maging abala,mamasyal,  kumain ng lutong pinoy. 

Y-umuko at manalangin. Basahin ang  Salita ng Dios. Siya ay may nais sabihin  sa iyo araw-araw. Kasama mo Siya. Jesus says “Never will I leave, never will  I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

A-lalahanin ang iyong pangarap at mga obligasyon. 

K-ausapin ang mga mabubuting ate at kaibigan para umalalay sa iyo. 

O-k lang umiyak basta pagharap kay amo, may ngiti na.

Practice

Ano ang ibig sabihin ng K.A.Y.A.K.O.? Pair up and practice sharing the keys to overcoming homesickness. Do your best to do this from memory. Have a volunteer demonstrate the K.A.Y.A.K.O outline  for the whole group when finished. 

Memorize Philippians 4:13: 

"I can do ____________ through __________ who gives me _____________". 


Prayer Focus: 

Heavenly Father,

You have promised that "I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength". This week I ask you to give me strength to cope with my new job, with my homesickness, with the loneliness I feel. I believe that you will help me. Thank you!  Amen.