We’ve been here almost six months now. They say it takes 6-9 months to reach the low point in culture shock, from which you begin to emerge and start functioning better and better in your new culture.
Praise God that a lot of the adjustments are behind us now! I have learned to steer four-wheel drive shopping carts (as long as I remember not to wear slippery shoes). I can answer the phone without breaking a sweat. I have finally figured out what the cashier always asks before I swipe my card. My nose has adjusted to all the new smells (not bad smells, just totally unexpected - not your average Target or Walmart smell). Having German friends over – a piece of cake. Navigating subways alone – all in a day's work. Sorting trash into six different categories – all the better.
The hardest thing about culture shock now is this general feeling that we are not one of them. (And now we have the papers to prove it!)
The way it sounds in my head goes something like this:
I just did something wrong, but what was it?
Should I ask him to repeat again, or should I just smile and nod?
How do I tell her that’s not what I really meant to say?
Are they starring, or is it just in my head?
Some days I have all the confidence and motivation to use every morsel of German I've got (and then some) to get a conversation going with a neighbor. But on other days, people around us look like ghosts to me. I’m a missionary here to tell them about Jesus, but I don't even look them in the eye in case they'll say something I don't understand and... there goes my “ordinary German woman” cover.
That's just where I am right now. I keep telling myself that we are not here just to blend in. We are here because we have something these people need. If blending in culturally does help us to get that across, we'll study our German till the neighbor's cows come home. And on the spiritual level, we are here as lights on lampstands, and no baskets allowed. How's my candle holding out these days? That's the bigger question. Matthew 6:14-16 All that to say, I wonder how God is ever going to use us among the Germans, but that is on His shoulders. All we have to do is be faithful today.
Pray that we won’t forget why we are here.
3 comments:
Thank you. Well said. We will be facing the same challenges here fairly soon. Thank you! God is faithful!
Thanks, Jennifer, for your observations about your circumstances and your heart. You express both very well. My favorite comments in your post (because I can identify SO well):
1) I have learned to steer four-wheel drive shopping carts , and
2) I’m a missionary here to tell them about Jesus, but I don't even look them in the eye in case they'll say something I don't understand
I understand exactly what you mean by not wanting to forget why you're there. Tim used to always say the hardest part about missionary life is that you get there and you realize it's just life. Will pray that God will continue to help you in your adjustments and encourage you in your mission, as we need the same.
BTW, we've been talking about trying to figure out a time when we can cross the border and maybe meet up with you in your lovely country. :) Stay tuned ... we'll try to suggest something soon.
Thanks for the affirmation and understanding, Ruth. I really should clarity that my ability to maneuver the carts is limited to inside the store. Get me out in the parking lot with a cart, and watch out everyone! If there's the slightest slope in the lot, the cart is gone.
Can't wait to see you guys! Don't have any wild ideas for stuff to see on your side of our country, but we should ask around. We are ready to do little traveling around ourselves.
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