Each of us are living in some form of culture whether it is based on ethnicity, economics, faith based, common interest based. Within your home there is a culture of ______ happening. I did not know until I moved to Hawaii from Texas that I had a culture. As I lived in this foreign place I realized I had very distinct ways, food, traditions that were ingrained in me. Those things competed with my current environment. So what could I do to blend both and stay true to who I/we are? When we find ourselves in a place that seems to be foreign, different than anything we’ve experienced before, God reminds us to build community. He is giving us the blueprint to succeed in a new culture. « What is your idea of community based living?» «Do you consider you and your family to be an introvert or an extrovert? And what do you do to connect with others?» «What one or two goals could you set to accomplish over the summer that would plug you into the community you live?»

Jeremiah 29:5-7

5“Build houses and settle in the land. Plant gardens and eat the food they grow. 6Get married and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons, and let your daughters be married so they also may have sons and daughters. Have many children in Babylon; don’t become fewer in number.7Also do good things for the city where I sent you as captives. Pray to the Lord for the city where you are living, because if good things happen in the city, good things will happen to you also.”