An important part of the TIMO curriculum is the Home Stay. This is when a team member, couple, or family lives in the home of a family within the community where they will be living. The home stay is usually for one week.
Born Again (a third time)
Missiologists often talk about “imprinting” or “bonding” as critical to long term success for the missionary. The thought behind this is that there is a window of opportunity for the new missionary to bond to his new world in a positive way. When animals are born, they will often bond to the first creature that nurtures them whether it is their mother or not. After a few days, however, this potential to bond diminishes and then vanishes completely. Though we are not animals and the issues are much more complex, new missionaries are being born into a new culture. Bonding will take place - it is a matter of whether it will be with an expatriate community, fellow missionaries, or with the nationals they have come to serve.
This is part of the thinking behind the home stay and the reason why TIMO En Gedi and your team leader will make every effort to place your team on its site as quickly as possible after arriving in the country. TIMO wants to create the most promising environment for bonding with the nationals. After arrival on site and setting up home for a few days, team members will be placed directly into their home stay situations.
What to Expect
Privacy during your home stay will probably be at a minimum or nonexistent. It is difficult for Africans to believe that you would want to be alone. At the same time, Africans are famed for their generous hospitality, and they will open their hearts to you.
The living situation that you can expect will be as follows: If in a rural setting, homes will be small, with mud packed or stone walls, thatched or metal corrugated roofs. floors are likely to be hard packed earth. In all probability there will be no electricity or running water. You may sleep on a narrow bed, but chances are it will be a reed mat on the floor. Use your own sheet or sleeping bag in addition to any bedding they may offer you. Toilets will usually be an outhouse, or an enclosed area with a hole in the ground (supply your own paper). Bring your own flashlight. Water is a precious commodity; use it sparingly. Drink only water that has been boiled or filtered.
Be sure to eat a little of everything that you are given. African hospitality is immense and is something of which we have much to learn. Often the family will have given up a precious chicken or other food item in order to suitably honor their guest. It is an insult not to receive this (no matter what your personal feelings of regret are at the expense for the family). Eat slowly, and do not empty your bowl if it is something you find difficult to eat (or you will find your bowl filled again!). Ask the Lord to help you swallow!
Money and Your Home Stay
Prior to your home stay, the team leader will have discussed with your host the extra expenses he or she will incur as a result of your presence. In some instances, the team leader may agree to pay a monetary amount to help cover expenses. In any event, if at all possible, avoid giving money to your host. The exchange of money will set a bad precedent and change the nature of the relationship. If your host insists on talking about money, put off all commitments until the team leader arrives for a visit.
Thank You!
We know you know, but don’t forget to express appreciation when you leave your Home Stay. A small gift may be appropriate. Check with your team leader for suggestions.
But What Should I Do During My Home Stay?
Your main “job” while at your Home Stay is to observe. Yes, you will need to learn the language, but don’t worry too much about that at this stage. If you want to learn a few greetings, fine, but don’t allow language learning to obscure your main objective of observation. You should be keeping a journal, and this is the place where you can record your observations. However, no one likes their every move and word written down, so be discreet. Keep your eyes, ears, and nose open, and at the end of the day, record what you have seen and how you are processing it..
Potential Areas of Observation
- Type of housing, furnishings, equipment.
- Differing roles of men, women, children, workers.
- Division of labor, source of income.
- Local foods, methods of cooking, use of gardens. How much is homegrown or bought? Describe the kitchen.
- Daily routine, time of activities and meals.
- Water supply, methods of sanitation.
- Dress, ornaments, body marks, etc.
- Beliefs, superstitions.
- Education and/or specialized training of family members.
- Role, treatment of dogs, cats, other animals.
- Any western/outside influences.
- Method of receiving guests (gestures, seating, food, etc.).
- Other.