Question 3 - today :)

QUESTION:

3 What books did you bring with you?  What do these books represent in your hopes for the adventures ahead?  Are you thinking differently of yourself now that you have embarked?   What has the separation from friends, family, school, and a familiar way of life revealed to you about yourself?

 All of the books I brought with me I carried in my backpack around three airports.  I carried this weight upon my shoulders to leave more room/weight in my luggage for cloths and other items.  When I was walking around the airports, I wished I hadn’t brought so many; on the contrary, now that I am here in Mexico, I am glad I brought all of that weight in books. 

            The main book I purchased especially to bring to Mexico is my bilingual Bible.  God has blessed me with a passion for Mexicans and that is why I’m so eager to learn Spanish and follow where he leads.  This bilingual Bible represents my hope to get connected in a ministry here in Xalapa or nearby poor villages.  I want to share the word of God with His children, in Spanish so they can understand it.  Also, it shows that I want to read God’s word daily to growing closer to Him throughout my journey.  One of my other intentions in bringing this bilingual Bible is that when I go to church, I can look the passage up in English if I do not think I completely understand the pastor.

            Other reading material I brought with me includes a book of short stories, a devotional book, my book for this class, and a people’s magazine.  The book of short stories shows that if I have extra time, like I have this weekend, I can read a few stories at one time without having to finish the whole book.  The purpose of the devotional book echoes my initiative for bringing my Bible, spiritual growth.  The people magazine was a gift that I used as a conversational tool on the plane when flying here with Ashley and Lindsey, my schoolmates.

            The separation from my friends, family and school has revealed how much I value their friendship, touch, and encouragement.  Being away from both of my homes (both at school in Wisconsin and my family home in Minnesota) has been more difficult than expected and I am already more homesick than I have ever been, and it is only the second week.  This is difficult for me because I like to focus on the love I have for those away from me instead of how much I would like to spend time with them.  I think, with time, it will get better and I will learn to have a boundary of distance that is healthy for my loved ones and me. 

            There have already has been a few times when I have thought differently of myself and my decision to spend a whole semester in Mexico; I think of the easy way out, going back to Wisconsin for the semester and spending it with my friends.  Then I would think more about it and realize that God has called me here so I go on in the confidence that he will plug me into a ministry and use me.  Being separated from my friends has made me appreciate the little things even more such as laughing with my best friend late at night, hugs from friends, or even just a smile down the hall.  I miss the possibilities and business of being so close to so many friends.

            The separation from my family has been difficult for me because I was blessed to spend almost two months at home relaxing and enjoying the love of my family.  That Christmas break was the longest time I have spent at home in over a year.  Being homesick here in Mexico forces me to think about that time and remember the little things I might not have shown my appreciation for; some examples of this are cooking diner with my mom, watching television with Rosie, and talking with my dad.  Although these are things I miss when I’m out of the country, I know I will be home again and I pray for my loved ones that they will learn to look on the Lord with love more every day.

Question 2 - after arriving.

I brought many light cloths (tank tops and t-shirts).  I expected Xalapa to be warm because it is in Mexico and there are ocean beaches within a few hours. I am glad I brought so many pairs of jeans and tennis shoes because I wear them everyday.  I was aware it would rain quite a bit and I thought bringing a light sweatshirt, fleece and rain jacket would be sufficient for those rainy days.  Little did I know, it gets cold at night and during the day when it rains.  Because of this, I wish I had brought ore sweatshirts, a pair of sweatpants and a blanket.  Many Mexicans wear winter hats here.  My teacher I my pronunciation class wore mittens to class today!

            In regards to food (“comida”), I only brought a few fruit snacks and granola bars for the flight.  The granola bars proved to be useful when we arrived in Veracruz, Veracruz around six and we could not locate our driver, Justo.  After a few hours, we got in contact with someone from the university two hours away where we wanted to go.  She had us take the next bus to Xalapa.  Moreover, in those three hours of wait, my two travel partners and I ate the granola bars to get something into our stomach and relax.  On the contrary, I haven’t even touched them since arriving here in Xalapa.  I expected to not like all of the food and need something I like so I wasn’t hungry.  I have not had a chance to eat any of these two food items because every time I come back to my host house, there is always at least two full plates of food waiting for me, sometimes more.  My host mother cooks large meals for me and when my stomach cannot eat it all, she begs me to eat more.  I did not need to bring any food, but maybe one day I’ll have a large enough break between meals where I can sneak some American food into my diet.

            My luggage and I were not very friendly during the travel, especially in the airport.  I had two carry on luggage items.  One of which was my backpack with all of my books and computer in it.  Therefore, my back started to get sore right away when walking around the Minneapolis airport.  By the time we made it through Dallas, Mexico City and Veracruz, I was exhausted.  Now that I am here and moved into my new house, I am glad I brought all I did so I can read those books and use my computer (etc.) for the next four months.

            There is only one item that has caused me embarrassment so far, my netipot.  I had nasal/sinus surgery 3 weeks ago so I need to rinse out my nose once a day.  This is a weird item and hard to explain the purpose in Spanish.  Luckily, I have my own bathroom so I can rinse it out on my time without having someone watch this interesting procedure.  Non of my other items have caused me embarrassment.  I have shared many of them with my host mother, Maria Elena, and she has especially enjoyed the presents and pictures I brought.

Question 1 before leaving.

            If we step out of our comfort zone, our box of comfort will enlarge and mold to what we choose.  I chose to step outside of my restricted comfort zone to provide more opportunities to need, trust, and walk closely with God.  Although many challenges are unavoidable and/or uncontrollable, I have intentionally chosen many challenges in my life to put myself in this situation and grew.  A couple years ago I traveled to Mexico on a mission trip, returning three times to the same areas in Mexico after.  Consequently, Mexico has become more comfortable for me.  The peace God has given me when I step out in His name is better than any clingy comfort.  For example, this past summer I life guarded at a Camp Shamineau, a Bible camp I had never heard of.  I did not know of anyone or have any connection to this northern Minnesotan camp.  Throughout the summer, I did not make close friends as I had hoped, and was still not very comfortable with my co-workers, but I rested on the fact that I knew God wanted me there to draw nearer to Him.  I know God wants me to study abroad in Xalapa, Mexico this Spring semester of 2010 and I will rest on His peace and let that build a new comfort.

            There are certain aspects about the United States that are considered “comfortable” that I am eager to leave.  Some characteristics of typical Americans I am excited to leave behind are the greediness, the fixation on possessions, and the unhealthiness (partly from easy access to fast food in this recession).  Beyond our culture’s control of the development of people’s behaviors, I will miss many things and people.  I will miss the comfort of home, peanut butter and the fast communication with loved ones.  I will miss my mother’s homemade cooking, talking with my neighbors, hanging with my little sister and the purity of the surrounding snow.  I will miss the closeness of friends I had at La Crosse and their constant verbal support.  Also, I will miss seeing and worshiping with them every Thursday night at CRU.  I will miss the random shouts of joy that penetrate White Hall’s walls.  I will miss the sarcasm, inside jokes, laughter and hugs of my friends.  The majority of what I will miss are those I hold close to my heart, my family and my friends who are like family. 

            Although there will be many things that remind me of friends and family back home, I have made a conscious decision to try not to fixate on what/whom I am lacking close contact with and, instead, focus on the love in that relationship and be thankful.  I am not saying I will not miss them or there are not small constant reminders of my best friends, but I will try to pause and thank God for that friendship.

            There are many cultural values and perspectives I am be taking with me into my new experience.  I am bring the appetite of Americans, so I am not used to eating later at night like Americans.  I am bringing my value for faith and Christianity; God is important and one should follow what/whom they believe in.  Also, I am bringing my Christ following beliefs and views of the denominations within Christianity.  My perspective will be evident in my mind when I am immersed in the Mexican’s Catholicism.  The value of promptness is another perspective I will be bringing; those who think ahead and arrive on time care about the time spent with whom they are meeting.  I am bringing the value in American tradition and holidays; I will share the way I celebrate Easter, etc. and be open to listening to the differences in cultural celebrations.  The power and idealness Americans place on fame and famous people will travel with me.  In addition, the American understanding of sports and competitiveness will be the foundation for how I analyze Mexico’s sports.  For example, the same pronunciation of the American sport “football” is phonetically the same as Mexico’s sport of soccer, “futbol.”  I am bringing the influence American culture has had on me and I will have to adjust and accommodate to the language and moreover, the differences in culture while experiencing Xalapa, Mexico.