My experience here is completely overwhelming with each new experience, each confused communication, and each different view.
I had a couple insights today that I wanted to share, maybe get some opinions on. They´re things I don´t want to forget about when I get back to the states.
The first one I´ve been thinking about really since I´ve been here. Everything is so personal. My homestay family didn´t have an address written on their sheet that I got, not because it wasn´t known, but because it wasn´t needed. Some have addresses, some don´t. But really, everyone knows where they live. It´s unnecessary to add the extra numbers on there because here, all you need is a name. And I mean, it´s not a big town, but it´s definitely not small either (take it from me, who continues to get lost). It´s crazy to think about. Half the time in the states you don´t know the name of your neighbor. Everything is so business-y, so professional. It´s cool here, I already feel welcomed and I haven´t even been here a week. But even more than I feel welcomed, I want to be like them. I want to be part of that community.
The second thing I´ve been thinking about really hit me this morning on my walk to the track. I´ve seen it a million times, but I just started really thinking about it. On the top of maybe half the houses/stores here is a cross. From it hangs (or leans) a variety of things that may include 2 empty beer bottles, a small ladder, and 2 toy pigs. I really have no idea what this means, but just the idea of it had me thinking. I mean, I feel like we (or Christians) completely separate our lives depending on the activity. We don´t often mix alcohol and Jesus. Or food and Jesus. Or animals and Jesus. Or really a whole lot that´s not obviously "glorifying Him", with Him. I think it´s definitely something that can be looked at a little deeper. Our whole lives need to be with Him, in Him, of Him. He doesn´t want part of us. He wants us to give up everything - our love, our fears, our sins, our passions, our time. I´m most likely totally off on the actual significance of this one, but the point remains - Jesus wants your whole life, not just the good parts.Eh, just some thoughts. Comments are lovely. =D
1 comment:
I love your insights, keep them coming! When I was in Mexico, I noticed some of the same things. I wish that we could somehow bring that sense of community to the U.S., but I am worried that it is too far gone. We can keep it in our own lives at least. I'm so glad you are safe and having fun!
<3 Lauren
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