Culture Shock- the realization that you are actually crazy enough to
make an educated choice to live in a place that has nothing familiar!-
Holly Jones's definition:)
At first when we stepped
off the plane in Johannesburg South Africa, we
went through some major culture shock. We were in, what felt and looked
like, America! There were grocery stores, and Malls, and movie theaters,
and restaurants that were in actual buildings! I didn't even know I had
missed all of these things until I saw them. Then the familiarity of
all those things made me homesick for all those things I had left
behind! We stayed in a place that had clean water from the
faucet! We had electricity all day, and for once in the last several
months we were not dripping in sweat! It was refreshing in countless
ways for us........BUT I couldn't fathom wanting to return to our home
in the rainforest of Madagascar without all of these things again! I
felt like I had been tricked into living in a place so isolated, and
removed from civilization! That is why I think they call it culture
shock, because you are shocked that you were actually crazy enough to CHOOSE
to live in a place that is so different than the culture you are used
to! These feelings were so strong at first, it was hard to think about
anything besides all that I had missed, and would continue to miss when
we return to Madagascar! Then after a few days passed, the excitement of
all the stores and civilization wore off, and it was quite clear......
as an American I am programed from a young age to love all of these material things,
and just because I made a one time choice to give up all of my material
possessions and life in America, doesn't mean that I still won't be
enticed to have
all of those things if the opportunity presents itself! The love for
those things is rooted deep in my heart. But here is the bad part, I
know that the love for materialism is sin, and is really only an empty
promise that there is peace and joy in those things....... but the love
for something familiar, now that presents a problem! It is the reason
that receiving a care package can change your day, or that a message
from a friend can lift your spirits. It is like a little piece of home
has made itself to us, and we LOVE that! There is the emotion of comfort
that is prompted and attached to the things that are familiar. As
missionaries, our lives have been trying to find a routine in a life
where there is no such thing, and we try our hardest to do that because
that is what we are used to, it is familiar, and that provides comfort!
So
we cope by trying to make a new familiar, and we succeed in that. But
when faced with the old familiar once again, it always makes the new
familiar seem to be a bit of a joke! I don't know that the "old" familiar
will always win out, maybe after years of making good memories with the
"new" familiar it will stand a chance, but for now, in my life I long for the familiar!
It
is only because of who God is, and His promises of wanting good for my
life, His faithfulness, and Love that I am able to trust, and be certain
of these things: That leaving what is familiar and comfortable, despite
the way things may FEEL, when asked by God, will always be the best
possible thing for my life. It will enable me to endure suffering if
need be, and experience joy and peace that passes understanding! It also allows me to experience this crazy adventure that I would have missed out on had I followed my selfish heart! I am so
thankful for this adventure and this time of learning in my life! Thank
you to all of you who have continued to pray for us!
