For my cultural immersion project I chose to pick a culture group that was focused on children with rare disabilities

Each reply must be minimum 250 APA format, works cited, reference, and biblical worldview

Reply to at least 2 classmates who explored a different culture. 

Stephanie Post—– For my cultural immersion project I chose to pick a culture group that was focused on children with rare disabilities (child who has Bainbridge-Roper Syndrome and particularly observed a family and then group of other children in a support group. I first observed in a church setting as a particular child was with a “buddy” to allow the parents to be able to worship. Secondly, the next experience at a support group was slightly more vulnerable as parents from different walks of life and children with a range of disabilities. I found it difficult to engage at times or follow what was going on because the actual children can be distant emotionally. I observed that parents were more guarded and possible felt tired or overwhelmed by their daily situation. I would say in a day to day situation I find it easier to engage with other mom’s or parents because there is something to relate to but with parents I was more guarded and more emotional. I didn’t want to offend by saying something wrong such as “I understand” or “that makes sense” when I know that it doesn’t make sense to me or  I truly can’t understand their perspective.

Richard Post—(Responding to Richard inform him that I am an Christian  African American woman that resides in the southeastern part of Virginia)For my immersion project I am exploring the African American culture. For those of you who may be reading my post for the first time it bears repeating that I am a new transplant from a virtually all white region of the Pacific Northwest, to a multicultural region in Southeast Texas, with nearly half the population being black. The cultures within both black and white communities are drastically different, and I could easily write a separate paper on white cultural changes. In general, I left a very affluent socio-economic status (SES) to one of the poorest areas in the country. “Approximately 15% of American now live in poverty; however, the poverty rate for African American remains nearly 3 times higher than that of White American (27.2% vs. 9.6%: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014b)” (Hays & Erford, 2018, p.258). Our move was intentional for several reasons and we expected significant changes, especially culturally. And we are still having ongoing adjustments. My wife and I agree that the most challenging changes are the overall lack of cleanliness and maintenance of homes, businesses, roads, and parks. While the most refreshing change is the general friendliness, hospitality, and genuine desire for placing importance on relationships. I do miss the manicured yards, trash less communities, and beautiful parks, but I prefer the approachability and “down to earth” demeanor that this new culture offers.  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you are like tombs that have been whitewashed, which look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything impure” Matthew 23:27.

Specifically, while my overall interactions with both blacks and whites have been encouraging, those within the black community (we are right in the middle of inter-racial neighborhood) have been more positive and impactful. Especially visiting an all-black church service two weeks in a row. I was so welcomed and treated as if racial differences did not exist. This is not to say that I have not felt uncomfortable and treated unfairly in other public situations, but it was so good to feel Christ love transcend racial differences in the church environment.
“Research is mixed on the value of an ethnic, cultural, or racial match between therapists and clients. What appears to matter more, according to the research, is a sense of common values, or that the therapist grasps and respects the client’s key values” (Garzon, 2018).  I am interviewing a member of this church this week for Part 3 and I am really looking forward to gaining more insight, perspective, and history on black culture, especially in my new community.