Well, everyone, I'm back in Tennessee after a mind-blowingly (that's not a word) fantastic time serving in Mexico. I arrived back at 7 PM, two days ago. To express my thoughts over the last couple days, I've composed a poem. As a preface, in no way am I condemning life lived in the States, and wealth is by no means an enemy if we don't make it a ruler of us. This poem is simply about perspective and adjusting. My new normal in Mexico has been turned on its head again coming back to the States, and it's strange! Also, in the poem I petition against stinginess and becoming too comfortable.
Carousels, Rollercoasters, and Reverse Culture Shock
slide to the left, slide to the right, criss-cross, reverse culture-shock
mild tweets - instead of - tropical cacophonies
chirping crickets - instead of - smooching geckos
no children playing soccer in sunburned streets
no strangers living in my house
pristine pets, no bone-thin strays
because we like it comfortable here
expression and passion stunted
by cultural norms
toilet paper swimming down pipes, not clumping in trash bags
clean water from the sink.
fluoride clean, toothbrush clean.
drinking clean.
air conditioning as a right, not a privilege.
food preference, not food availability
what really matters in life's carousel spinning, repeating, same-old struggles?
i'll ride my static pony around like everyone else
but when the ride stops i'm not paying for another round because
Someone wants to take me on some rollercoasters and
I have my reservations--but
I think I'll let Him.
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Thank you all so much for supporting me whether through praying, financial support, and/or reading my blog. I truly could not have done this internship without you. Here are just a few tangible ways God has used you:
- to cultivate seeds of passion for the vulnerable in my heart
- leftover funds used to provide a guitar for Back2Back Ministries
- further leftover funds used to help build the Tres Reyes Community Center (see this video for more info)
- God has worked through your prayers to noticeably give me peace, help me in my sicknesses, and give me energy throughout each day
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| Celebrating Jeny's 14th birthday |
My last week in Mexico was wonderful. I was able to celebrate the birthday of a wonderful girl whose family Back2Back works with, I got to visit most of the kids I connected with at the sites for a final time, I was able to give a note and say goodbye to Jirinimina (the girl I thought had left, but was actually still at the government shelter,) and I had a lot of fun with the volunteers and interns.
So, what's next?
I can assure you that I am wondering and praying about that. But the answer for now is: I'm not sure. I would request that you don't ask me about future plans for the moment. Ask me about my summer or ask me about the action steps I am taking now due to what God has shown me in Mexico. Such questions will be much more productive and encouraging in the reflective, transitory stage of life I am in now. :)
I am so thankful for all of you! If you'd like to continue reading occasional blog posts of mine: hop on over here.
Hasta pronto!
