A Time of Transition

Life is full of a lot of "lasts" right now. For example, the last time to see my Grandparents and other extended family for several years. Last time to visit places like Lost Lake. 

With my Grandparents in Wenatchee, WA 

Saying goodbye is hard to do, but my eyes are also on all the "firsts" that are soon to come. This is a big transition. A hard transition. We talked a lot about the process of this transition during a couple of my trainings. It helps to know that what I am experiencing is normal and also to know that no matter how hard the stage I am in right now, that it won't last forever.

This might not be the first time you have seen the picture and information below and it won't be the last either. That is because I think it is important for you to understand not just the what is happening with me physically but also emotionally and spiritually. I am currently in that first transition stage and I am quickly headed into the chaos stage!

A bridge in Indonesia and a perfect example of this transition

Settled: Life is normal with stable relationships, a secure work environment and known routine. You are on solid ground!

Transition: Focus is shifting to destination. It is time say goodbye to people, places, pets, and possessions. You have started down the side of the bridge - the way ahead looks long and a bit scary but you are excited about what is on the other side. It is however, hard to leave the settled feeling of this side and say all those goodbyes. 

Chaos: Life is full of unknowns and ambiguity from how to communicate to how to get to the grocery store. Anxiety and exhaustion are frequent emotions. You are in the middle of the bridge and awfully close to some fast rushing water!

Transition: You are learning the language, becoming comfortable with a new routine and role. You are headed up to solid ground but not there yet!

Re-Settled: Different but stable relationships, work environment, and known routine. The new normal - you are on solid ground again!

The following was also shared at one my trainings. It is I Corinthians 13 adapted for the missionary. It is my prayer that in those hard moments, the Lord will fill me with love for Indonesia and her people. I hope that is your prayer for me as well, as I once again adapt to Indonesian language and culture...

If I speak with the tongue of a national but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.

If I wear the national dress and understand the culture and all forms of etiquette and if I copy all mannerisms so that I could pass for a national but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all that I possess to the poor and if I spend all my energy without reserve but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love endures long hours of language study, is kind to those who mock her accent; love does not envy those who stayed home; love does not exalt her home culture, is not proud of her national reputation.

Does not boast about the way we do it back home, does not seek her own ways, is not easily provoked into telling about the beauty of her home country, does not think evil about this culture.

Love bears all criticism about her home culture, believes all good things about this new culture, confidently anticipates being at home in this place, endures all inconveniences.

Love never fails, but where there is cultural anthropology, it will fail; where there is contextualization, it will cease; where there is linguistics, it will vanish.

For we know only part of the culture and we minister to only part.

But when Christ is reproduced in this culture, then our inadequacies will be insignificant.

When I was in America, I spoke as an American, I understood as an American, I thought as an American but when I left America I became a learner of a new culture!

Now we adapt to this culture awkwardly, but He will live in it intimately. Now I speak with a strange accent but He will speak to the heart.

And now these three remain: cultural adaptation, language acquisition and love.

But the greatest of these is love.