As this
year comes to a furiously fast close, I’m forced to review my time here. I’m
desperately trying to slow down, find closure, and not just skip to the part
of, “I’M HOME!”. As the countdown gets to the teens and now single digits, I’m
realizing my restlessness more and more. I know
great change is on the horizon. I can see it. I can feel it. I’ve had an
expiration date from the beginning and so as it draws nearer my restlessness
and longing for home grows. The more I closely examine my time here and the
more I attempt to find closure, the more I find I’m not ready. Sure,
my brain has known this day would come. I knew
change was inevitable, but how could I measure or anticipate that 10 months
ago? I’m torn. Part of me longs and dreams of going home, and the other part
desperately clings to staying. Perhaps
the hardest part is knowing these goodbyes I’m saying could very well be final.
I’ve been asked over and over by my local friends, “Are you coming back?”, and
all I can say is, “I don’t know. I want to return someday, but Saya tidak tau
[I don’t know]”.
When I step off the plane next
Thursday, May 11, don’t expect me to be the same as when I left 10 months ago.
Don’t expect me to your “normal”. I’ve
experienced far more than I can possibly explain and you will not be able to
relate. And you know what? That’s ok. I know you won’t be able to really get my
story, to comprehend the extent of my experience. Please, don’t try and pretend
like you do. I’d rather be told, “Wow, you know I really cannot relate or
understand your experience but praise the Lord, He [God] can.” Or maybe “That’s
a beautiful experience! I’m so glad you thrived there.” I will try my best to
be humble and loving towards everyone but I ask forgiveness in advance for any
short temper I show. For any foul attitude I may throw your way. Please
be gentle with me. I wish I could explain what culture shock is like, the
stress it inflicts on me emotionally, and mentally. But unless you’ve walked
through it, it’s impossible to describe. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with
wrapping me in a bear hug. No
words are even needed, just showing that you care is enough. But if
you want to ask questions, some appropriate questions would be:
“How are you adjusting to
life and culture here in America?” I know I will struggle tremendously with
American culture. The fashion, the apathy, the politics, the individualistic
lifestyle, the selfishness, the list goes on and on. Everything is so different
compared to here.
Or ask, “I’d love to hear about
life in Indonesia! How about we go to a café and chat? Does _[Insert
day/time here] work?”
If you would like to see more
appropriate questions, go to Paige’s blog post titled: Asking all the wrong
questions, and how to ask the right ones. Go to writtenpaigesite.wordpress.com
I desperately want to share my
stories and my experiences so please don’t hesitate in asking to hear my
stories! But also be aware, I can’t possibly sum up 10 months into 5 minutes of
small talk at church, or if you run into me wandering overwhelmed at Walmart.
So if you ask, “How was it?” I may just blankly stare at you and croak,
“...Fine…” (see above for better questions).
And to any previous student
missionary that may be reading this, I’m sorry for my attitude towards you when
you returned home. I know I did exactly what I’m asking people to avoid. And
even after this year, I can only relate slightly to what your experience was
like. Thank you for being patient with me when I asked you all the wrong
questions, or when my apathy towards your mission life made your culture shock
worse.
So as an attempt to find
closure and to help people back home understand the thoughts that are swirling
in my head I wrote this poem, if you will. It captures, in a very small
nutshell, my experiences here.
Mostly I’ve Received
I've lived with plenty
I’ve lived with nothing
I've knocked down barriers
I've survived in luxury
I've thrived in poverty
I’ve been continuously outside
my comfort zone
I've been spared through
earthquakes
I’ve been protected from drunk
men
I've see the mouths of snakes
closed
I've made mistakes
I've been forgiven
I've tasted Amazing Grace
I've shared God
I’ve been
shown God
I've poured prayer over demon
possession
I've heard the Trinity
I've felt Jesus’ hands
I've seen the Holy Spirit and
witnessed Him moving
I've seen Angels
I've seen the demons of my past
and present
I've casted out strongholds and broken soul ties
I’ve pulled deep rooted evils
from my heart
I've been redeemed
I’ve been set free
I've been baptized in water
I've been baptized in Spirit
I've planted
I've harvested
I've had sleepless nights
I’ve had weary days
I've pushed my body to the limit
I've been fed when I was hungry
and given drink when I was thirsty
I’ve been proud
I’ve been humbled
I've been up front and in the
crowd
I've loved
I've hated
I've been in extreme pain
I've found extreme joy
I've taught, nursed, served,
and given, but mostly
I’ve received.