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Florida family gives up on Small North Dakota Town

Michael and Jeanette Tristani are moving back to Miami, after giving rural Hazelton, North Dakota a whirl.

During their four exile to Siberia, they never did figure out how to fit in.

It's been quite an experience, 50-50 at best," Tristani said. "It hasn't been easy. No one really wants new people here."

Not everybody can hack it in a smalll town. It takes a good dose of time, patience and adaptability.

It was about four years after moving to Hayward from southern California before I began to feel like I belonged -- and that was only after a few funerals, ice fishing, coffee at the Co-op, and hunting.

When in Hazelton, do as the Hazeltoners do.

The village don't adust to the newcomers. The newcomer must adjust to the village in order to survive it.

There is one exception to this rule. Perhaps, a vibrant small town-rural church could help with this transition -- creating the open and welcoming space for newcomers, and helping them to adapt to the new culture.

After all, the Bible says, "I was a stranger and you took me in."

Comments

  1. Anonymous7:41 AM

    Exactly. Spot on.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous8:08 AM

    "vibrant small town-rural church could help with this transition -- creating the open and welcoming space for newcomers, and helping them to adapt to the new culture."

    How true! But a major problem arises when it is the small town-rural church that does not accept or want newcomers. A situation that is so sad it breaks my heart.

    You fit into Hayward because there was love and true friendship from your church. And I am sure you were quick to offer love and true friendship back to them.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous6:01 PM

    a lot of rural churches are less welcoming than the rural communities

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous10:31 AM

    Anonymous number 2,

    You are so right. I will take my neighbor farmers over the people I met at the local church. If in need, I know who I would call upon.

    Anonymous number 3

    ReplyDelete

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