Many of you have asked us to share our first thoughts upon arriving in the Philippines. Now that we are entering our fourth week here and things aren’t quite as new (everything is still very new!) maybe I can pick out a few things. I can tell you that Brian’s impressions and mine are very different, so I will just share mine for now.
The last 3 weeks have been a whirlwind for me of new sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. However, the biggest change for me right away was the difference in the way people do things here. I think being down to Mexico prepared me somewhat for the chaotic traffic, the street vendors, the homes built out of rubbish, the smell of trash in the streets…What no missions trip or training could prepare me for is the way people stare at me as I walk down the street or ride on the jeepney like I have a booger hanging from my nose, or the way I suddenly felt shy and insecure about who I am and the way I do things, or the way people I’ve never met want to hold Maycie and whisk her away to where I can’t see her to show all their friends, or the way people drive on the wrong side of the road to get around traffic, or the way everyone immediately loves us and looks out for us, knowing that we don’t know what we’re doing, or the way we get a “Hi, good morning!” even in English from everyone we pass, or the way people try their best to accommodate us even though we are the foreigners.
I’m sure it is the same when anyone moves to a new country that there are hard things and beautiful things to adjust to. When thinking about all the hard things, I must daily remind myself that there is One who sees all and knows all. I must daily give up my comforts and material securities and place my life and the lives of my family in His hands. I must daily surrender my attitudes, my thoughts, my words, my actions so that I may glorify Him out in the streets when all I feel like doing is letting people know why the American way, my way, is better. You think I’m going through a bit of culture shock? : )
These were the thoughts that occupied my mind and my heart the first couple of weeks that we were here. How sad that after only a couple of days I was already wondering why I was here! Why was I in this country that eats so much fish when I HATE fish!?! Why did God put me in such an uncomfortable place? Why am I not with my family back in the States where I belong. I never thought my mind would go there so quickly!
Well, the good news is those thoughts are slowly fading away the more time I spend here. I know we’ve only been here for 3 weeks, but I am beginning to love and appreciate this new culture. The jeepney rides have become fun and exciting and I actually look forward to beginning my day, wondering what adventure I will embark on today! I am excited about learning the language and the reasons behind the way people do things and excited about getting to know my new Filipino friends.
It is still a bit scary, I will admit, as I am no longer in a place where I am normal and can go about unnoticed. But each day that passes, I find myself more and more open and optimistic about what it is ahead of me. It helps to know that I have all of you cheering us on. Thank you!