How to build a RAFT

Jun 08, 2024

Imagine your favorite book.

The Bible is a favorite. But for this, pick a different one.

Feel it in your hands.

Remember how it changed you…made you feel.

You finished reading. You closed the last page and paused for a moment. You weren’t sure if you will read it again or ever. But it left a mark on you.

Our time in Morocco was like that.

It was an amazing experience that God led us to and through. We have just closed the last page and we’re pausing for a moment. We don’t know if we will return to Morocco soon or ever.

It changed us.

We know God will change and develop us in our next location too.

Transition is hard though. It hurts. But it can make us better if we do it in a healthy way.

We all face change and transition:

Job change
Moving to a new location
Ending a school year
Starting a school year
Relationship changes

All these have the potential to weigh on us.

We want to be healthy in all the ways. We want that for you too.

Below is one helpful framework for processing change and transition well. We think of it like building a RAFT.

Reconciliation: One of the big causes of bitterness is “unfinished business”. It’s so easy to step into a new phase of life without ever asking for forgiveness or giving forgiveness. We need to make sure that we’ve straightened out any broken relationships that may exist, before leaving. Is there any relationship in which you may need to ask for or extend forgiveness?

Affirmation: It’s so important to thank, encourage, affirm and commend those who have had a significant part of our lives. It not only is affirming to the one who receives the note or word of thanks, but it helps to cement some of the good memories that we experienced.

Farewells: As obvious as it may seem, we often neglect the importance and health of saying good-bye. We need to make sure that we say our proper good-byes, not just to people, but to places, pets and possessions.

Think Ahead: So often we go into new situations and never once stop to think through what we expect of life, future, friends, etc. What expectations do you have about an upcoming change? How will the next chapter be different?

These have been helpful in our transition from our home in Morocco back to Minnesota.

We’ve just landed with all of our family (including our dog Sota) and some of our luggage. There has been a lot of change…a lot of heartache…and a lot of blessings too.

In the coming weeks…

We’ll share what we’ve learned about major transition
How we care for children and family health in times of major change
What we will do over the next year in the states
Where we will begin to work in the Summer of 2025
And how you can specifically make kingdom impact this year…

We are deeply thankful for you. Your prayers and support are tangibly felt and mean the world to us.

Announcement:

We are doing a LIVE video call on Tuesday, July 9th at 8:00pm CST.

We want you to be there with us! (We will record it too incase your power or internet goes out…wait, that doesn’t happen in America?)

Click here to sign up for the live video call.

So that all may hear,

Ryan & Mandie Buesgens

How to build a RAFT

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