“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.” Revelation 14:12
Happy 2007!
I have been home almost a month and have been asked by numerous people “So how are you doing?” Well, in all honesty...
It has been hard. Really hard. I was warned repeatedly about culture shock and transition difficulty, but wow - I had no idea what I was going to experience. I think coming back at the height of American commercialism didn’t help either!
The similarities between the two continents I found humorous: traffic, materialism, family gatherings, meeting with friends, me-first orientation, holiday craziness, decorations, inflated gas prices, gaiety of the season...some things are the same no matter where you are in the world!
The contrasts, in comparison, have been stark: 98 degrees boarding the plane to 38 degrees getting off; land of want to land of plenty; full-on encompassing participatory worship to polite singing; dry arid climate to full blown 100mph windstorm and rain with power outages; from “God bubble” to ungracious reality.
I was at the mall the other day and watched a woman pick out 5-6 sweaters to buy...for herself (she tried them on and proceeded to the counter). This was in absolute contrast to a man I met in 98 degree heat who was fearful of removing his wool sweater for the chance that it could be stolen from around his waist. Sweat trickled down the side of his face as he related this to me.
It has been hard to return from what I experienced and ‘fit back into’ my former life. I feel like a square peg being rammed into a round hole. I don’t fit anymore...and I don’t know if I want to.
People ask: “What’s next?”, “Where do you go from here”, “What is your strategic plan?” I don’t know. Every time I chat to God about it, it is like he tells me to ‘rest’. So ‘rest’ is what I am doing, and trying to be content in doing it! As the verse above relates, I think this is a time of ‘patient endurance’ for me - a time for me to rest and wait on His timing, His provision, His strategy. For me the organizer, fixer, doer this is difficult.
I was told once that God expects ‘active waiting’. We aren’t to sit and watch the world pass us by – but to do what we can until told something different. This is what I am doing. I have applied to several temp agencies and am awaiting a call, have gotten out of debt, am searching for a solid, reliable car for under $5K...and in the midst of it all am ‘resting’, ‘abiding’, ‘following’ His lead. It is a peace-filled position but definitely one of adventure.
The issues of financing, transportation, employment, next steps, relationships are ever-present, as they are for all of us. I deeply thank those of you who have continued to support me prayerfully (and financially) as I have transitioned home. It has been a rough period, but I know it could have been a lot worse!
As I bring this update to a close, I wanted to remind you of an open house my friend Jill is having this Sunday, January 7th, from 2-5 pm. I hope you can come so I can thank you personally for your support of me during my “African Adventure” (details below).
Warm wishes to you in 2007,
Dena
Open House Details:
Sunday, January 7th, 2007 from 2-5pm
RSVP to: Jill Olney jill.olney@comcast.net
Address: 12720 NE 10th Pl. #D304, Bellevue, WA 98005
Home Phone: (425) 467-6300
Jill lives in a condo complex and there is limited parking...so carpool if you can! Feel free to invite others...just let her know. Her condo can be hard to find...it is between NE 8th and Bel-Red Road just off of 124th street (and NE 10th Pl.) – call if you get lost.
Donations:
Please see FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS below
Happy 2007!
I have been home almost a month and have been asked by numerous people “So how are you doing?” Well, in all honesty...
It has been hard. Really hard. I was warned repeatedly about culture shock and transition difficulty, but wow - I had no idea what I was going to experience. I think coming back at the height of American commercialism didn’t help either!
The similarities between the two continents I found humorous: traffic, materialism, family gatherings, meeting with friends, me-first orientation, holiday craziness, decorations, inflated gas prices, gaiety of the season...some things are the same no matter where you are in the world!
The contrasts, in comparison, have been stark: 98 degrees boarding the plane to 38 degrees getting off; land of want to land of plenty; full-on encompassing participatory worship to polite singing; dry arid climate to full blown 100mph windstorm and rain with power outages; from “God bubble” to ungracious reality.
I was at the mall the other day and watched a woman pick out 5-6 sweaters to buy...for herself (she tried them on and proceeded to the counter). This was in absolute contrast to a man I met in 98 degree heat who was fearful of removing his wool sweater for the chance that it could be stolen from around his waist. Sweat trickled down the side of his face as he related this to me.
It has been hard to return from what I experienced and ‘fit back into’ my former life. I feel like a square peg being rammed into a round hole. I don’t fit anymore...and I don’t know if I want to.
People ask: “What’s next?”, “Where do you go from here”, “What is your strategic plan?” I don’t know. Every time I chat to God about it, it is like he tells me to ‘rest’. So ‘rest’ is what I am doing, and trying to be content in doing it! As the verse above relates, I think this is a time of ‘patient endurance’ for me - a time for me to rest and wait on His timing, His provision, His strategy. For me the organizer, fixer, doer this is difficult.
I was told once that God expects ‘active waiting’. We aren’t to sit and watch the world pass us by – but to do what we can until told something different. This is what I am doing. I have applied to several temp agencies and am awaiting a call, have gotten out of debt, am searching for a solid, reliable car for under $5K...and in the midst of it all am ‘resting’, ‘abiding’, ‘following’ His lead. It is a peace-filled position but definitely one of adventure.
The issues of financing, transportation, employment, next steps, relationships are ever-present, as they are for all of us. I deeply thank those of you who have continued to support me prayerfully (and financially) as I have transitioned home. It has been a rough period, but I know it could have been a lot worse!
As I bring this update to a close, I wanted to remind you of an open house my friend Jill is having this Sunday, January 7th, from 2-5 pm. I hope you can come so I can thank you personally for your support of me during my “African Adventure” (details below).
Warm wishes to you in 2007,
Dena
Open House Details:
Sunday, January 7th, 2007 from 2-5pm
RSVP to: Jill Olney jill.olney@comcast.net
Address: 12720 NE 10th Pl. #D304, Bellevue, WA 98005
Home Phone: (425) 467-6300
Jill lives in a condo complex and there is limited parking...so carpool if you can! Feel free to invite others...just let her know. Her condo can be hard to find...it is between NE 8th and Bel-Red Road just off of 124th street (and NE 10th Pl.) – call if you get lost.
Donations:
Please see FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS below
No comments:
Post a Comment