Survival Tips

Are you new to Japan? Do you host new workers? Are you in a leadership position? Japan Harvest asked us to suggest some survival tips for new workers.

Maintain a close walk with Jesus

If we don’t have Jesus, we have nothing. However, quiet times can be a challenge when you are busy, tired, confused, and culture-shocked. What practical steps can you take to give time to Jesus?

For leaders welcoming new missionaries: How could you help and encourage them to prioritise their walk with God?

Cultivate an attitude of contentment

Are you someone for whom the “grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”? Ask God for His help to be content and thankful in your new situation. A sense of humour and commitment to joy is also vital.

Leaders: Are there people in your organisation who can come alongside new workers—to listen and pray?

Be prepared to be vulnerable

You will need to open your heart to people in order to learn the language and culture of Japan, and to get to know others in your organisation. Also be ready to accept their frailty, but don’t miss out the opportunity for close friendships.

Leaders: How can you open your life and heart to new workers? Are you willing to share your struggles as well as your successes?

Don’t compare

This is one of the biggest pitfalls of language learning—and of course it doesn’t stop with language. Work hard, but whatever you do, do not compare yourself to other people. They have different personalities, capacities, and abilities to you. God made you. Rejoice in being fully yourself under Him.

Leaders: How can you celebrate each person’s unique talents and abilities?

Language and culture learning is a ministry

It’s easy to think language and culture learning is a chore to do before the real ministry happens. However, this training is also the ministry to which God has called you. Communicating this to your supporters is also important.

Leaders: How can you facilitate language and culture study so that it is viewed as ministry? How can you encourage your home-side supporters to see this training as ministry?

Language and culture learning is a marathon

New workers are keen and enthusiastic, but it can lead some to rush through their studies, and attempt to zoom through their cultural adaptation and life in general. You need to pace yourself. Try to set reasonable goals and forgive yourself when you make a mistake.

Leaders: How can you encourage consistent, marathon-minded learning in every area of life?

Recognise your limitations

You may be extremely competent in your home country, but you will need to learn to accept your limitations in your new culture. This is always a humbling experience, so ask God to give you grace.

Leaders: How can you help new workers to live and work within their limitations? What structures can you put in place to make sure that your members do not overwork?

Take time off

God planned for his people to need rest, so make sure you schedule a regular day off and use it wisely. Holidays are vital, too—particularly if you can get away for a break.

Leaders: How much time does your organisation allow for holidays? Is it sufficient? Should you have recommendations about how individuals use their holiday time? How can you help your workers to take time out?

Cultivate an attitude of life-long learning

Life-long learning isn’t just about Japanese language and culture, but also learning about God, others, yourself, your organisation, and colleagues. Ask God to help you develop an attitude of being willing to learn in every area of life and being humble enough to ask for help.

Leaders: How can you encourage continual learning in all areas of life?

Learning and enjoying more than one culture

If you have joined a mission, an international school, or a company, recognise that you are not only learning Japanese culture, but also the culture of your colleagues and your organisation. Your new organisation and colleagues will undoubtedly do things differently to what you’ve been used to. If you work at these relationships, though, you may find you develop closer friendships than you have ever known. If you find yourself in a lonely situation, how could you increase your fellowship opportunities with other missionaries or internationals?

Leaders: How can you help to integrate and befriend newcomers? How can your organisation celebrate the different cultures represented?

Assume the best of your leaders and organisation

When you are new to an organisation, it can be hard to understand why certain things happen, or to get frustrated at the way things are done. Try to assume the best of those in leadership—and even if you then ask why, be gentle.

Leaders: How well does your organisation explain it’s structures and goals to new workers? How can you foster greater understanding?

Hold disputable opinions loosely

If you work in an interdenominational and/or international workplace, you will know that although your colleagues may be Christians, they may hold different opinions to you. Try to hold disputable opinions gently and with humility.

Leaders: How does your organisation deal with differing opinions in matters of doctrine? How can you encourage fellowship across denominational lines?

Serve one another and be considerate of colleagues

If you are part of an organisation, you have joined a new community. Be prepared to serve the community in any way that you can—whether that means drying dishes or leading a meeting. You may need to lay your own interests on one side, in order for others to flourish.

Leaders: How can your organisation encourage an attitude of self-sacrifice amongst your members?

As you learn, adapt, and grow into life in Japan, here’s a prayer:

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIVUK).