what is normal?

Our life here tends to go in cycles that follow the seasons and the center schedule. Currently we are fully into a new term of classes and trying to enjoy this season that inevitably leads to summer, which means unbelievable heat! Scott is enjoying his new class of students and we are looking forward to welcoming a team who will be staying for a week with our team in order to help and check out our work. These are very fun, but busy times. More than usual we find ourselves having to really plan ahead because time is going so quickly that we will find ourselves unprepared for the next thing if we don’t get a head-start on it.

Its sort of funny lately as I reflect on the fact that we are nearing our 3 year anniversary of moving here. So many things that were once foreign have become normal. Even the protests that started here about 2 months ago have become somewhat normal, along with the increased sounds of security and ambulances passing by the main road near our home. Don’t get me wrong, we definitely continue to be aware and even cautious at times, but it amazes me how quickly you can become used to something and allow life to go on. I think when times get stressful or tough it is human to desire “normalcy” so even if the situation around you doesn’t return to the normal of before, we automatically create a new norm that will allow us to relax a bit and go on with our days.

I sometimes think about these sort of things when I am driving around our city and hardly notice the differences between western and middle eastern architecture; the dust storms that spring up are still a pain, but somehow expected; I no longer think that a quick, spring rain shower will clean my car off; I no longer get frustrated when I pull into a turn lane and cars around me create a 3 or even 4 deep and wide turn lane. I praise God in all of this realizing that He has made us to be adaptable. I think it is easy for us to fight against change when it comes, but ultimately we have to adapt, and we do! Sometimes we think that we can’t handle certain things, but God assures us that He will never give us more than we can handle AND that He will walk along-side of us through it all…if we choose to accept His help.

This coming week we will be hosting the afore-mentioned team, we will get to invite our friends to another women’s event at our center and we will be celebrating Easter…its gonna be a busy week, but a good one. I am going to attach some recent picnic pictures below to enjoy more of the beautiful scenery of this country. Also, if there are things you would like to hear more about in relation to life here please leave a comment and let me know…like I said, it’s all become so normal to me now that I no longer see it all with fresh eyes, so I am open to your suggestions

so many questions...

I had an experience today that has left me very contemplative. It has brought up many questions in me to which I don’t know the answers. The biggest question in all of these thoughts is wondering if we have failed. By “we” I mean American culture. In my time overseas I have learned many skewed views that people all over the world have of the U.S. Most of these are not flattering. The funny (or not so funny) part about these views is that they affect me personally, even if they don’t reflect at all who I am. This is where another question comes to mind: who is responsible for how the world views Americans? Is it the media, our government, celebrities, who? Now I know that it isn’t fair for anyone to make a generalization about any culture and pin that label on individuals. However, when do we, like a parent who is seen in a bad light due to their child’s ill behavior, have a piece in that responsibility, even as individuals? There are a lot of images, perceptions, and impressions that have been sent out into the world regarding American culture. Is that who we are? I very much appreciate the freedom that our country has fought for and the battles that have taken place so that I can choose to be who I want to be. However, another question comes to me: what has the price of that freedom been? Who is taking responsibility to see that our freedoms are used and not abused? I know as one person I feel pretty powerless to even begin to answer these questions, let alone make a difference. But I figure its gotta start somewhere! What can I do to make a difference in the world and leave a positive mark on those whom I have influence over? Over the last few years I have railed against the views of my culture, thinking it’s not fair that labels are placed on me that I have not earned. However, is fairness the thing to be railing against? Will that get me anywhere productive?

These questions span further when I think about my faith. As a representative of Jesus, how do the people around me view my actions and attitudes? Is it fair that the images of American pop-culture are seen in tandem with Christianity? Fair or not, that is the situation I find myself encountering over and over again. And the lasting impression it leaves me with is this: we have to do better; we have to BE better. I don’t know what that looks like. I think some of it starts by taking personal responsibility in becoming educated about the world. I hear a lot of opinions out there (some of which are mine) that are based purely on bits and pieces heard around us, versus having researched, asked questions and learned the objective facts. The other thing that needs to be done is that we need to reach out to people, to truly love in a sacrificial way. Now I know the U.S. does a lot of good work around the world and that there are many NGO’s out there that are plugging away at some of the tougher challenges facing our world. However, what are we doing in our own culture? Many of my friends here think that if they could just immigrate to the states that all of their problems would be solved. I am left wondering, though, if they did emigrate who would reach out to them? Who would teach them how to live in a new culture and how to see the good through the bad? Would it be a government agency or would it be the people who live right next store to them? I know it can be intimidating reaching out to other people and cultures that we don’t understand. There’s the issue of language barriers, misunderstandings and then there’s the issue of not having enough time. When are we going to make the time? When are we going to put ourselves out on a limb, even if it means making a fool or ourselves? You never know, but it might make a huge difference in the life of another person. These small changes, I believe, can affect the world and all it takes is one person reaching out to one person; making the time, making the sacrifices it takes to really influence a life. I know I am in no position to stand on any sort of soap box, but I feel a responsibility to slowly begin to answer some of these questions. I’d love to hear some of your thoughts and to hear about how God may be moving in your heart through some of the journey He is taking me on. Until next time!