Category: My Journey

Six Month Update

I don’t guess I’ve said much about our journey since the post on reverse culture shock.  Mare Cris and I have been here in Alabama, USA for six months (as of yesterday).  Here’s what we’ve been up to:

Winter Fashion
Winter Fashion

Staying Warm

After 11 years in the tropics I was looking forward to the variation in weather that comes with the fall and winter seasons. Be careful what you wish for–we’ve experienced some record-breaking low temperatures.  Mare Cris saw snow for the first time while we were in Pigeon Forge (TN) helping with a youth retreat.  She also loves seeing me wear something besides shorts and white t-shirts (my garb of choice in the Philippines). I only sweat when I go to the gym these days, and this is a welcomed change of pace.

Ministry

Mare Cris and I visited several churches in and around the Birmingham area last year.  It was an honor to preach, worship, and in some cases catch up with old friends.

This month I started a new phase of ministry at First Baptist Chalkville (located about ten minutes from where we live).  Their pastor resigned recently (to pursue another ministry opportunity) and I’m preaching/teaching there while they search for a new one.  My wife and I are delighted to have a place to serve!

Spending Time with Family

Mare Cris' 27th Birthday Celebration (with our nephews)
Mare Cris’ 27th Birthday Celebration (with our nephews)

I’ve really been blessed with the way my family has welcomed Mare Cris.  My nephews are crazy about her (who can blame them?).  I’ve spend most of the past eleven years on the other side of the globe, so being with my family through the recent holiday season was a great joy.

Waiting

The most challenging part of our lives right now is living in limbo.  We believe the next step for us is for me to become a full-time pastor.  We just don’t know know exactly when or where this will happen.  We could end up settling down here in the Birmingham area or moving to another state altogether.   We are patiently waiting and trusting God to reveal these things to us in His perfect timing.

Reverse Culture Shock and Emotional Roller Coasters

Arrival: Birmingham Airport, July 24th
Arrival: Birmingham Airport, July 24th

Mare Cris and I are delighted to be here with my family in the USA.  We don’t know all the details, but we believe this country is where God wants us to begin the next phase of our lives.

I have been through some reverse culture shock–the experience of re-adjusting to one’s country of origin.  I visited the States several times during my time as a missionary, but it’s different when you move back for good.  Here are just a few things that have stood out to me:

Sticker Shock:  It seems things are a lot more expensive than they were ten years ago.  There is a natural tendency for prices to to up, but I think Keynesian economics and quantitative easing have exacerbated the problem (I’m not an expert on economics or politics, so you can take that for what it’s worth).

Super Size Me:  We’re not used to such large portions of high-calorie food.

A beautiful sight
A beautiful sight

Speed Demons:  My wife and I have really enjoyed the relative ease of driving down wide roads and interstates (if you’ve lived in the Philippines you know why this is such a big deal).

Technological Upgrades:  Flat screen TVs and smart phones are now the norm.  I don’t believe this was the case ten years ago.

Cultural Shifts:  The social and political climate are very different than they were ten years ago (issues like gay marriage come to mind).  I appreciate Russell Moore’s astute observation about Christians in American culture:  “. . . we are no longer the moral majority. We are a prophetic minority.”

 The Emotional Roller Coaster

The last few weeks have been a mix of emotional highs and lows.  It started with the final approval of Mare Cris’ spousal visa.  We packed up a decade’s worth of belongings, spent a few days in the province (with her family), and took the long flight to the USA.  My wife finally met my family in person on July 24th.

Since then we have visited my Mom’s grave, spent a week or so in Florida (long story), visited Tuscaloosa (my old college town), baptized my nephew, and celebrated our marriage with friends and family here in Alabama (some  people from my home church organized a beautiful reception for us).

Kahit saan, basta kasama kita

This Tagalog phrase means “anywhere, as long as I’m with you.”  Mare Cris and I say this to each other frequently.   It’s an important affirmation for us right now because we really don’t know what’s next for us (where we will live, work, etc.).  We just know we’ll be together and God’s plan for us is good.  That’s more than enough for us.

To be continued . . .