Editor's Note: This is the third in a trilogy of articles covering the Indian adventures of Steven and Stacey Russell. The previous articles can be found at: Article 1, Article 2.

Ah … balance. If anyone remembers the 1980's movie The Karate Kid, you might recall the scene where the wise Mr. Miyagi has his student, Daniel, learning balance while kicking against crashing waves. Watching the Pacific Ocean thrash his thin frame around like a dog with a chew toy didn't leave me with the sense of achieving balance.

No, the movie left a better impression on me when Miyagi taught Daniel-san how to prune bonsai trees, telling him to see a finished picture in his head and to “make like picture.”

It became clear to me then how pruning to “make like picture” requires cutting away.

Now, for Steven and Stacey Russell, the picture God has for them requires clipping them out of India .

“Adjusting back to the US has been a refining process, just as it was a year ago when we were adjusting to India. Transitions in life seem to refine...they shed light on areas of our lives that need to be smoothed over by Christ.”

So after battling cultural, religious, and language barriers for over a year, returning to the States didn't make life easier?

“We have been living in a culture where time is of no concern, people don't get overly excited or overworked about much, and stress is seen in a much different light.”

Now, back in a town where many sweat out the results of a local football team, life in DFW might seem, well … a little strange if not for the familiarity.

“Now we are back into a familiar environment where we act efficiently, take things seriously, and make the most of the time we have,” Steven says.

But what does efficient and serious mean for a couple who have grown to know two distinct cultures? Can you just return from a place like India and go back to the life you had before? Steven doesn't think so.

“I think the biggest part of our transition back has been finding that "good" medium between the two (cultures)...where we can operate and be productive in our lives, yet not lose that ability to slow things down when enjoying the relationships God has arranged. That is a balance.”

But those crashing waves roll, always ready to pound them under the surf. It takes help to keep them upright.

“One huge blessing since being back is the love and encouragement of our "home" church. We have certainly enjoyed this, and really begun to know and value the idea of "community" to a much greater extent. Sharing life with other believers, immediately since we have been back, has helped the transition go smoothly. God's design for fellowship is evident, we understand it deeply.”

It seems the community the Russells find in the states only helps them reach back to the communities they love in India.

“Our continued involvement in ministry (in India) really points back to the strong relationships God put in our lives. With this blessing of friends and relationships, it is our joy to keep phone and email contact with several families... encouraging them in the ministries they do each day.”

Now, the relationships and communication with ministry partners and communities in Delhi have initiated CREATED, a business designed to continue ministry half-a-world away.

“The function of the business that we started is to sell products made from slum communities. The name of the company is CREATED, named after the passage from Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God's workmanship, CREATED in Christ Jesus to do good works...” The belief is that all humans are able to reflect the image of God through “good works” (or “workmanship”). CREATED is a 100% Kingdom Business, set up to minister in every way possible, to every sphere of influence.”

Some might pause here and remember Steven returned to his old employer (and to a raise) raring to pick up where he left off. How do the Russells find that balance work and launching a new business?

“Instead of Stacey going back to work for her previous employer, she is working full time to market the CREATED product line of stationery, gift wrap, and greeting cards. Extra revenue will be used to grow the CREATED product line, as well as go back to benefit the local community in North India.”

The Russells also appreciate the help of many individuals who have helped mentor them and provide accounting, business, design, marketing and technical expertise to help CREATED launch.

So, even through the pruning process of returning to DFW with Indian culture coursing through their veins, Steven and Stacey Russell seem to have found out the lesson I missed long ago.

We don't arrive at balance. With the help of community and constant pruning, we work to maintain it, understanding God will “make like picture.”