Mexico Video

I finally completed a video I have been working on for a while. It started out as a promotional for Short Term Missions, but turned into an overview of Covenant World Mission work in Mexico. Hope you enjoy it.

The journey continues...

I am now 2 weeks back in the U.S. of A. and so I think I'll make this my last post of my Oaxaca journey. It has been an unpredictable adventure, but at the same time it felt so natural that it seems odd to be doing anything else.

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At this point I feel pretty "in the dark" about what comes next, but I think you'll agree that for now I've landed in another pretty beautiful place :). What a wonderful world our God has created - and I am baffled at how He deeply cares for each and every one of us. May His kingdom come.

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"I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:1-2

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18

And that is all she wrote,
for now... :)

Reverse Culture Shock 101

I think I would be remiss in not writing a bit about my re-entry experience. Often a large part of re-entry is reverse culture shock. For those unfamiliar with it, reverse culture shock basically refers to the stressful difficulties people experience in getting used to their own culture upon returning from living in another place. The classic case of reverse culture shock is the seemingly unlimited options in a U.S. grocery store – people living in other countries in areas with limited grocery store choices often become overwhelmed by the rows and rows of choices – sometimes having to leave on the spot because the 'shock' becomes so intense.

Culture shock for me has been more subtle than one huge moment, it's more like lots of little moments that pile up if I'm not careful to deal with them. Think about your daily routine from waking up to going to bed, and then imagine having to stop and decide what to do before you do each one - where to put toilet paper, how much water to use in the shower, how to answer a telephone, driving instead of walking, meal times, brushing your teeth with tap water, not checking your bed for scorpions. These sound like small things, but when you add them all together, you realize that putting thought into changing each of these habits sure can become tiring and overwhelming (and I wasn't even in a culture that hugely different than my own - or so I thought :).

Culture shock for me has also been not being able to tell if it's going to rain, having people in stores apologize for being in 'my space', seeing squirrels again, driving through neighborhoods with no one outside their houses, getting to flush the toilet before a shower and not have to worry about how much water is in our tank, and even unlocking and opening a door with a doorknob! (we just had keys and a handle in Oaxaca). My most major moment was helping set up for Sunday School here. Being in the supply room and knowing that whatever we used could be easily replaced just about did me in - I really did have to try to keep myself from leaving the room.

I guess my best advice for dealing with reverse culture shock is to expect it, and to process it as soon as you get a chance by yourself to think it through. I've been around very considerate and understanding people, and I'm thankful for that. I'm certain I'll grow re-accustomed in time, though it may take a while. It's sad to say goodbye to some of the things I learned in Oaxaca, but I'll give them up to the Lord as I trust His paths.

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Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Isaiah 30:21

Homeward Bound

It hit me when I boarded my plane to Denver...

It was the end of July when I started the long line of goodbyes, and I began packing around the same time. I found that I had a LOT to pack and even more to get rid of. After several rounds of cuts, repacking at least 5 times, and mailing 3 packages, I finally got everything to fit just before leaving for my flight. I was off on my new adventure with two checked bags barely under the weight limit, and a carry-on and personal item both over the weight limits...

All the way up to my departure date, it still hadn't really hit me that I was actually leaving life in Oaxaca. It didn't hit me when I hugged my friends goodbye at the airport, and still hadn't hit me when I took a last look out my window at the Oaxaca mountains. Even after 1 1/2 hours slugging through the customs line, it still wasn't quite sinking in that I had actually returned to the U.S.

As I hefted my overweight carry-on into the overhead of my Denver bound flight, a steward was kind enough to come and help me get it in. However, he took me by surprise when he pounded my bag into place, made the comment that I must've been too cheap to pay for a checked bag, and informed me he'd help me get it in but not get it out. I understand he must deal with people doing that a lot - but he said it to the wrong person that day - and it was nearly the last straw on my worn out emotions.

I slid into my seat rather deflated and explained to the people beside me that I was actually moving after 2 years in Mexico, hoping at least they'd understand. I quickly realized that my plastic bag was wet, and I looked down to find it bloody from a deep gash in my finger. As I wrapped my throbbing finger in my sweatshirt to try to stop the bleeding, the steward's flippant remark sunk in a little deeper and my numbness in leaving finally crumbled.

I had expected that there would be plenty of tears as I processed my goodbyes, I just wouldn't have minded if I hadn't been on an airplane at the time :). At the end of the flight, some gentlemen in the back of the plane who had witnessed the earlier struggle were kind enough to help me get my bag back down, and I was eager to find my parents awaiting me and get into a nice bed at home.

I'm pretty sure there'll be more tears as I further process all the goodbyes I've said - but I am encouraged by the hope that there'll be some pretty good hellos coming as well :).

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"But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness"

~Matthew 6:33a

To Do:

Since most of my ministries ended at the beginning of the month

and most of my goodbyes have been said,

my biggest "to do" this week has been packing.
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And repacking...
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And packing again.
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But, I took several breaks to do some of the things I enjoy in Oaxaca a final time. Hamburgers at the local hamburger stand.
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Got my shoes shined! A little before and after action:
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Breakfast with my landlords and the Dockters.
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Did some final shopping at the markets and then stopped for some hot chocolate at the Italian Coffee Company.
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Sushi Itto! I have only eaten sushi in Mexico, but I enjoy it!
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Disclaimer: I know hamburgers and sushi don't really shout Mexico, but, because of my chili allergies, about all I can order off regular menus are quesadillas or the club sandwich - so that's my excuse for my lack of mexican-ness... :)