RAFT - Transitioning Well

Hello Friends,
It has been a while since I last posted anything about our lives here in PP (That's Phnom Penh, if you didn't know).

I have written before about no matter where in the world you are, eventually, you will find a routine. It may be a different routine than you would have in the States, but you will still find it. And once you are in that routine, time flies. This has been great for us, as we await our return back to life in the States, but it also means that I have let blogs and newsletters slip.

For this blog, I thought I would write about two things. One is about something I did today, and the other is about transition.

This afternoon, when I got home from school, I ate lunch (I write that so you get the idea that we are really just living life here like everyone else--routine). After lunch, I hopped in a tuk tuk with Melody, Kelsi, and I's passports in hand, and took them to get visas, because they expire on the 27th of this month. I asked for a 3 month visa, and Kelsi and Melody are getting 6 month visas... and this doesn't seem very extraordinary, except that they are the last visas we will get for our time in Cambodia.

We are coming home.

I was speaking with someone the other day about it, and they were skeptical about it all, and maybe Kelsi and I should be too, because we have been through this all before. We just needed this one piece of paper, and we could bring the girls home to the States... but then something would happen and we would have to stay longer. But this time, we are really coming home.

Adoptions are done, visas are coming, and tickets (at least mine) will be purchased within a week.

This leaves me in utter amazement at how the reality of God's faithfulness can be realized in a simple act of taking a tuk tuk ride for visas.

Secondly, we have been told by friends that re-entry into the States is difficult, and there are steps that we can take to make the transition easier.
The system is called RAFT.

R - Reconciliation
A - Affirmation
F - Farewells
T - Think Destination

Reconciliation is important, especially as believers. We sometimes think that because we are leaving a place and will most likely never see these people again, we shouldn't waste time trying to work out our differences, but that is not a Christ-minded way to think about it. In reality, the Holy Spirit brings unity, and our unity even in disagreement is actually a sign of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. For us to be offended and cut off a relationship forever is not in the heart of Christ, which is why He said to go to the one who has offended you and make amends, and especially those whom we have sinned against. To leave a broken relationship only means that you will have regrets bearing on you (or worse, resentment) going into this new season God is giving you.

I have heard it said that affirmation is simply acknowledging that every person has an impact in your life, and recognizing that impact. For me, affirmation is almost the other side of reconciliation. Go to those who have been an encouragement to you and make it known to them. Spend time appreciating the support system(s) God has blessed you with. Although we are happy to be moving on from our season here, it does not mean that we do it whilst burning bridges. We have family here in Phnom Penh, and we do not leave them easily.

I feel like affirmation and Farewells kinda go hand in hand, except that farewell means more than just people. There are things and places about Cambodia, which we will not find in the States. Especially for the girls' sake, we need to go to that special place one more time. Kelsi and I have spent most of our married life in Cambodia, and there are special date night locations that we need to recognize before we fly thirty hours away. Leaving well means not getting so focused on the future that you rush out and never look back. One place that comes to mind for me is ICF--our home church here in PP. Those people are our family and that church has been a rock for us while we have been here--especially our small group.

To think destination means that we are realistically thinking about our transition back to the States. Where will we live, what will we do, and how will we re-enter well? I like to think that we will have no problems, but that is not true. Many have warned us of the emotional weight the transition from life on the field to life in your home country can be. Kelsi and I are so looking forward to the States, it is hard for me to think that we will have any trouble, but dear friends that I trust have said that we should consider going through debrief sessions with a counselor as part of returning, and we are looking into it.

God has already provided for us in so many ways, and we are all waiting in anticipation to be back with family and friends, and see where God is leading us into this next season of ministry.
Our time in Cambodia is coming to a close, and that means we are busy RAFTing, but we did not want to forget to let you all know how we are doing. We are still super blessed by all the support we have received, and the prayers are invaluable to us. Keep it up!

Until next time,
The Bergens.