Speed Bump...

      While I am truly grateful for the opportunity to travel, learn and serve abroad, there are moments when the phrase "no place like home" rings loud and clear. 

Moments like...

1. When there is no water in order to use the bathroom, let alone shower, after going on a 5 mile run;
2. When the idea of bubble-space does not exist and while there may be a complete open and empty row of stadium seats, the tiny little seating space on the edge of the row right next to me is the preferred seat of choice;
3. When the internet is actually up and running, but the connection cannot function long enough for me to even speak the three words "I love you" when speaking to my family;
4. When I have no idea what is being said or laughed about in a group setting because the English accent sounds so much like the local language; or
5. When after a week full of teaching, serving, reading, studying and worshipping, following Sunday's service, I go home alone without my own family-filled activities that usually take place on a Sunday afternoon.

      I am not complaining, but rather highlighting the things we often take for granted.  The list mentioned above consists of what two-thirds of the world would call privileges.  Growing up in California, I was always made aware of the need to conserve water because of the state's "water shortage."  I purposely emphasize this phrase because I laugh at such a thought now.  Californians have no idea what the words "water shortage" truly mean.  Try turning on the faucet and having nothing come out, try not being able to flush the toilet for days at a time, try not being able to shower weeks at a time.  And what about the water that is used to prepare meals?  Water.  So simple, yet so critical and easily overlooked until it becomes no longer easily accessible.
      Although I am a person who enjoys their personal time and space, I am not afraid to be crowded around or pressed up against.  In India because of the cultural understandings between men and women, such close encounters are usually between the same sex.  So please don't send in the troops, I am fine.  My personal bubble-space has only been invaded by women.  And like Jesus, I know how to escape the crowd and get away to be by myself when necessary, but when it's not, I embrace this lack of fear or hesitation to touch or be near to one another because I believe it is a distinguishing sign of difference between the Indian culture of community and the U.S. culture of individualism.  I believe that if Americans were more open to touching each other (in the community sense), we would make greater strides toward achieving a society of racial, class/economic, religious, etc. unity.
      I wrote a 15-page research paper on the topic of humans being wired for love and needing social interaction for proper development at all stages of life, but what's funny is that this thesis--my thesis--didn't become alive, per say, until I applied it to myself (funny how that worked, huh?).  This year at seminary and then again being reminded while here in India, I recognized that I need to interact with people.  Sometimes desiring to just be left alone, I have to force myself to get out and just hang.  Otherwise, life becomes really dark.  I don't know how else to explain it, but in order to receive the necessary personal recharge to make it through the week, I need intimate interaction--intimate meaning an environment where I feel completely comfortable with being myself.  Therefore, while adjusting to my new environment, my Skype calls and emails with my family and close friends are very important for me.  In support of the previous paragraph about community, I am a strong believer that we truly do need each other. 
     So as I fight feelings of home-sickness or frustration, I will call such feelings "speed bumps" because just like speed bumps they force me to slow down, to contemplate on and count my blessings and remember what truly is important.  These feelings are speed bumps because they do not stop me from following this path God has set before me, but rather allow me extra time to take in what is needed presently so that I am better prepared for the road up ahead.