Reverse Culture Shock = Clash of Cultures
It has been awhile since I have written an update (well, I update almost everyday on Facebook… but you know what I mean). When I arrived home in February, I didn’t think the jump back to life in the good ‘ole USA would be that big of a deal. I mean, really… a year. In the scope of things (and the older I get), a year doesn’t really seem that long.
Never the less, I find myself overwhelmed with all of the things I have on my plate… already! I have not really even been able to move my belongings. It is like I am poking holes in a water bottle and trying to plug the holes up before it empties. We DO so much here in our “scheduled” and busybody culture. And I am okay with that… but in Mexico, we seemed to put more focus on BE rather than DO. So there is the clash and the culture shock… I want to sit and chat, soak in the company of my supporters/friends and family… watch paint dry (okay, maybe that is taking it a little to far). But US culture and pressure drives me to get everything done… NOW.
Here I am in May… in the span of three months, I have… had a wedding reception, gone on our honeymoon, started my work focus on Camino Global’s E-ministries, spoken to some of my supporting churches, tried (and failed) to get out my “snail mail” appreciation letters to my supporters (look for them soon… I hope), started plugging in to our new church (Grace Bible Church in Dallas), taken on a mural project (photos below), tried to pack and move (still doing that…. I have a June 1 deadline before a new family moves in…yikes!), plumbing problems in our home in Carrollton, car problems, purchased a car for me to drive, celebrated my father-in-law’s 70th birthday with family in Louisiana, and there are many more things that I could list, but I will spare you. Can I just sit and breath awhile! But I can’t really do that because all of this stuff sits piled around me that I need to unpack!
New Normal
But really, I don’t want to complain. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude about my new normal (or soon to be normal). I cannot express the feeling I have, knowing that I am not juggling all of this by myself. For so long, I have had to carry the weight of family responsibility by myself (one reason I color my hair… even with the new trend for silver hair, I am pretty sure you won’t see mine). I guess God knows what he is doing (of course), because he sent me a man who has jumped in and filled that void for me. In the midst of all the craziness I listed above, I feel like I CAN breath. A huge weight has been lifted. I am not saying that a “man” is the answer to everything, but it is God’s design for us to do life together. And for that I am extremely grateful!
Support
I want to express my sincere thanks for all of you who supported my financially during my time in Mexico. It is a beautiful thing to watch God’s hand in the ministries that He allows us to be a part of. I also want to thank those of you who have committed to continue supporting me as I work with Camino’s E-ministries. It is a huge undertaking, and God is using it in a mighty way.
For various reasons, I have had a handful of supporters drop from ongoing giving. So, I am a bit below my sustainable goal. I you have been considering supporting me or want to know more about the work I am doing (hopefully in non geeky kind of language), please give me a call or send me an email. Let’s do lunch even (let’s have tacos)! And please pray that others would consider this as well. Maybe your church or Sunday school class could take on a new missionary. I would love to come speak to your group and share what God is doing to provide Biblical resources for Spanish speakers around the world.
Give Now
Photo Review
This gallery gives a quick review of what we have been up to in the last few months…. I left out the messy house packing photos. Click on an image to make it larger. You can find more photos on Facebook here.
