It Just Doesn’t Feel Right

I’m constantly stepping into the direct sun to warm myself.

As a kid, I always braved the cold with no jacket, no shoes even. Even as a college student, I would go out in flip flops sometimes when there was snow on the ground. Now, I’m not fully comfortable in the US, even in the summer,  what with the use of AC and also just the generally colder climate than the islands. On the days when people are complaining about the heat, I’m now thinking, ‘oh, this feels nice!’

Long sleeves in CA summer

We’ve heard it said that when someone spends enough time in another culture, they absorb more and more of that place. They will probably never be fully assimilated into their new culture, but they will also cease to fully fit in with their old culture. We’ve been on the islands for 13 years and have traveled between the US and the islands many times. There is always a certain amount of transition— adjusting to the climate, the standard of living, the abundance or lack of choices.

I feel like in earlier years we used to fully adjust back to the US after a short time. We’d fall back into old patterns and be completely comfortable again. Now it feels like there are some island ways that have become so ingrained that they are just gut reactions. I don’t even realize why at first, but things just don’t feel right. It feels wrong.

It doesn’t feel right walking into someone’s house with my shoes on— and being led onto their carpeted floor, still with my shoes on.

It feels wrong to hand something to someone with my left hand without apologizing.

It doesn’t feel right to be eating in public in front of other people and not offering them any.

It feels wrong to walk outside the house wearing a tank top (ie: with my shoulders uncovered).

It doesn’t feel right talking about things that will happen or things I will do without saying ‘eka Mungu hapvendze’ (the island form of ‘God willing’).

First day at Yosemite

I realize that the Americans around me don’t necessarily care. But I’m uncomfortable.

So sometimes, I take my shoes off at the front door even when people insist that I can keep them on. Sometimes I awkwardly rearrange the things I am carrying in order to hand things with my right hand. Sometimes I look around as we have a snack at the park and think that if anyone makes eye contact that I will offer some of what we are eating. Sometimes I put on a jacket even when I am not cold to go for a walk if I’m still in my tank top from exercising. Sometimes I mumble a ‘God willing’ when we have conversations about the future.

I realize that I don’t actually need to do these things from a local culture perspective but they make me feel better. Some island things are deeper ingrained now and I can’t easily shake them.  

PRAYERS ANSWERED
Some of the African refugees we told you about have been freed from police custody into the care of a charity—this includes all the women and children, which is a great answer to prayer, but we continue to pray for the men to be freed who linger underfed and forgotten in an island make-shift detention center.  We are having some wonderful vacation days with Megan’s family at Yosemite this week.  Tom’s friend staying on the French island was able to connect with others who are studying the truth.  He seems eager to learn more.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Our colleagues’ newborn is still in the NICU, and they are waiting to hear the extent of the any brain damage.  We continue to pray for miracles and full recovery.  Lots of our colleagues have family visiting or are away visiting their family.  Pray that all these times go well and pray for those who are left to “hold down the fort.”  It’s wedding season on the islands, so it makes island a lot more hectic and busy.  Keep praying for our sister Dunga, it’s been three weeks since she had to leave her home because of her heart choices.  Pray that she would be able to find her way in this new situation and not lose hope, but continue to show love, peace, strength and forgiveness.  An island colleague’s child will need to have a medical procedure done Monday morning.  Pray that all would go well and healing and full recovery would come quickly.