It is striking us a lot more this time about just how very different our "two worlds" are. It's not just the poverty...it's the thinking, the language, the priorities, the traditions, the food, the goals, the humor, the clothing, the churches, Just EVERYTHING. Walking into a restaurant tonight I waited for an older couple leaving to strike up a conversation. It would just be UNHEARD of that two passing couples wouldn't exchange a few words (or probably more!) in Haiti.
But when the couple didn't even look up, but walked past us without acknowledgement, I was just dumfounded and hurt! ...not because this is worse or better than Haitian culture, but just that ignoring strangers is NORMAL for American culture, MY culture, and yet it is NOT normal for me anymore.
There have been 100 such "ti-shocks" these past days of just things being entirely different than we had expected, because we have come to expect THIS culture to be like the one we have become so at home in. We feel a bit like foreigners, trying to learn new ways :)
I felt so blessed at the dentist yesterday (an ABSOLUTE first :) ). They cleaned our teeth, and I needed one cavity filled. And so? He filled it. A problem I didn't even know I had is fixed before I ever had a problem and (hopefully) our insurance will mostly take care of it.
When the dentist thanked me for coming, I was hit with an unexpected wave of emotion. I mean, THANK YOU! I felt so blessed to have had the opportunity...having so many dear friends and students and neighbors with smiles that make you just CRINGE with pain, only imagining what agony those rotting teeth and painful abscesses are causing them, most with literally NO hope of aid, and the rest, only with the ability to scrape together enough money to have the teeth yanked.
While so many, even at a very young age, shift corn cobs to try to find a good tooth, I have a seemingly flawless and perfect set of teeth (thanks to a lot of work!) and can't say that I have EVER experienced major problems.
Lily had 6 vaccinations on Wednesday, and just like that, she will not suffer from mumps, won't be paralyzed by polio, won't die of some disease that we don't even SEE in America anymore...unlike almost ALL of her little friends. Just like that!
Dear friends who have squinted their entire lives through, unaware that there are leaves to be seen on trees, expressions to be seen on faces, stars to be seen in the sky...and we have perched on our noses framed 20/20 vision and are considering Lasik.
AH, it is all a lot to deal with, isn't it? Sorry to share the burden! He is faithful, and we trust Him, and we know without a doubt that there is nothing that is GOOD and LASTING outside of the joy of knowing HIM...a beautiful gift that many such pained and blinded family possess fully and joyfully and freely! I am thankful...
I am so very grateful for this stretching gift that God has given us to constantly evaluate what HIS Culture is, and work to integrate THOSE norms into our lives! Keep digging into your Bible with us...the priorities and speech and standards and clothing and churches and humors and lifestyles and relationships that bring Him delight are ALL there.
Love and prayers and hoping to see you soon!
It's always interesting to catch someone else's perspective on something you thought you had nailed down. Thank you for allowing us to be reminded that we have so very much to be thankful for Stacey. Your talent for sharing what God has put on your heart is much appreciated. David & Ann Grissom
ReplyDeleteYes, i have been asking myself some of these same questions in the < two weeks since i've returned home from my ONE WEEK in Haiti.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine how those questions are magnified 5, 10 or even 100-fold after being there for months or years.
Your words ring true... "there is nothing that is GOOD and LASTING outside of the joy of knowing HIM". I could not have put that any clearer or more concise.
Can't wait to see you guys at Sharptown the end of this month!!!