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.
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