What if the big decision has been made in your house that you, your spouse, and your children are going to move to another country? As a homeschool parent, what would be one of your first thoughts?

A couple of years ago our family came to that point when we decided to move to India. Being the homeschooling, lover-of-learning Mom that I am, I thought, What a great field trip! It would be the field trip to end all field trips. Just think, the Taj Mahal, Gandhi, Mother Theresa! Our children would experience the culture as they studied it. I could hardly wait to see their eyes shine with the delight of learning.

We have lived in India for a year and a half now, and some of my highest hopes and educational goals have been realized. Simultaneously, some of my ideas lie trampled under the stress and adjustment of living in a new culture. Whether a homeschooling family is planning a short-term trip to another country or planning a long-term move, the following should be considered.

* Breaks will be needed for illness. As your children's and your bodies adjust to the new environment, there will be an increase in illnesses. You are encountering a new set of germs, diseases, and often less than standard drinking water. We affectionately call one of these illnesses "Delhi Belly." It is important to be flexible with your yearly schedule when you encounter possibly frequent physical delays.

* Temperature changes can put a real drain on energy levels. This is especially true if you are moving from an American location where you experienced four distinct seasons to a tropical climate. The heat and humidity combined with newly developed allergies can make you feel like you are moving in slow motion. Your children will need an extra dose of grace for days when they do not feel like doing anything. This will not be hard for you to understand because you will feel the same way!

* Prepare your family to deal with the ugly parts that are in all cultures (i.e. sex industry, beggars, endless poverty). Along with the beautiful tourist sites, such as the India Gate and the Red Fort, for us comes the daily challenge of addressing issues of poverty. We needed to come up with a system that would help meet the need, but not contribute to the problem. We decided to put small snack bags in our glove compartment. When we are approached at a stoplight by needy children or a handicapped adult, we are able to give them some food. We also have learned to tell them in Hindi that we are giving it to them in the name of Jesus.

* Have a sense of humor about being the center of attention in your new community. If you are in a place that is not used to Westerners, you will attract a great deal of unwanted attention. In the Indian culture, it is very normal to stare at strangers. Once we understood that it is normal, it became easier to take it in stride. One day, as I was sitting at a stoplight, this particular man was hanging out the window of his truck staring and staring and staring! I told my children that I had a plan. I suddenly pointed to the sky like there was something quite unusual up there. I was just sure he would turn and look. He kept staring at me! I got so tickled at this that the children laughed along with me. It seemed to help them to know that Mom was trying to cope with it too.

* Realize there will be times when your children need a break from their adopted culture. In each culture, the issues of discomfort may be different. For our children, it was the staring, pinches to the cheek and being picked up by strangers. These experiences were outside my children's comfort level. There is not much enthusiasm for going to Gandhi's museum or the oldest market area in the city when they anticipate such discomfort.

* Even if English is a primary language in the culture, it does not mean communication will be easy for your children. The number of English speakers in Delhi is increasing all the time and one can make their way around with a limited Hindi vocabulary. We understood that and excitedly assured our children that they would be able to talk to the large number of children being taught in English medium schools. What we did not anticipate, though, was that it was very difficult at times to understand the English. Our children would get embarrassed when they repeatedly could not understand what other kids or adults were saying in English. It was a matter of accent, just as our Southern accents made it difficult for some English speakers to understand us.

When one considers all the challenges to be met, it may not seem like it could ever be a good idea to live in an international setting, but the fact is that sometimes, as adults, we feel that God is directing us to make such a move. Thankfully, God's Word encourages us in our daily walk. Just a few of the verses that have been special to us are as follows:

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 and "but faith which worketh by love..." Galatians 5:6b and "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Colossians 3:17.

Greetings from India!

Sherra Still has been homeschooling for seven years with the Sonlight Curriculum. She has five children, grades 1-6. She loves to write about her parenting experiences as she examines her heart and gains further understanding of what God is teaching her.