I get asked very often by Ukrainians and Americans if I miss home and here’s what I usually tell them.<\/p>\n
“Home for me isn’t a country or a house, it’s my family, as long as my wife and children are nearby I don’t feel homesick.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Well that’s the short answer but the truth is there are times when I feel tinges of longing for home. I think anyone who has moved halfway across the world to live in a different country and culture will agree that this doesn’t happen without some sort of separation pain.<\/p>\n
There are a few things that can trigger homesickness and it often pops up when you least expect it. It might be a picture from home, it might be a phone call, it might be a favorite food, it might be holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.<\/p>\n
Either way homesickness is something that missionaries must deal with and if they don’t it could eventually take them off the mission field.<\/p>\n
Here is a simple list of effect ways to deal with homesickness.<\/p>\n
1. Work hard to develop deep relationships in your new country.<\/p>\n
2. Never give up on learning the language.<\/p>\n
3. Don’t expect your new country to ever feel quite like your home country, realize that it’s different and look for the positive things in those differences.<\/p>\n
4. Try not to constantly compare your home country with your new country.<\/p>\n
5. Remember that you are a pilgrim and none of us are home yet.<\/p>\n
6. Keep regular contact with family and friends back home but don’t expect them to understand your new country.<\/p>\n
7. Get outside and get exercise regularly, I know it sounds weird but it really helps you to keep a proper perspective, especially when you’re feeling homesick.<\/p>\n
8. Invite nationals from your new country into your home.<\/p>\n
9. If possible find some others from your home country in your city, they understand what you’re going through.<\/p>\n
11. Don’t be afraid do let others know how you’re feeling and ask them to pray for you.<\/p>\n
12. Take a vacation every once in a while outside of your new country.<\/p>\n
13. Keep a journal about your experiences in your new country.<\/p>\n
Question: What other tips do you have to overcome homesickness?<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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