Reverse Culture Shock

Well as most of you know, we made it! We arrived in Texas Tuesday night at 10:00 and we were in bed by midnight. The next day we got up and drove three hours East to a meeting on Wednesday night and drove back home that night finally getting to bed about 12:30 am. Needless to say, we were pooped! We had a wonderful meeting with a supporting church in East Texas that started our little 2 month furlough off on a great foot.

Btw, when I met the Pastor's wife at Faith Baptist Church in Kilgore I was so surprised when she referenced my furniture revamping. It took me sec. to realize that she reads my blog! For real! Christy, the sweet, bubbly pastor's wife (that I knew I liked the moment she smiled at me) reads my blog. Wow, that was too cool. 

We have learned after some years just how to beat jet lag. There is a tried and true way to make it through the lag and instantly get on schedule. As soon as we leave for the States or visa-versa we sleep on the plane as much as possible. When we arrive we automatically get on the schedule of the location. If we arrive at noon and to our bodies it's bed time we stay awake until the locals go to bed. We only sleep when they sleep and we walk when they wake. If you do this and done nap when your not suppose to you can get on schedule within two days. Today's our 3rd day here and were all regulated as far as sleeping goes and so we are functioning on 100%. It totally works for us and if you travel a lot you don't want to lose a week getting on schedule.

It's a strange thing to experience culture shock when returning to our homeland. As much as things are normal here, they're not! Two days after being here I was ready to go home. Life in America has changed so much over the years that this United States isn't the United Dtates I remember 13 years ago. Life is ridiculously fast. It's almost like people here think they're not living if they're not running here and there. When do you poeple have time to just sit and enjoy each other?

Oh and the choices you people have! I went to Walmart and wandered in the make-up section trying to find some blush. Josh was with me and he was like, "Mom, just pick one!".  Are you kidding me, there were at least 10 different makers and each maker has at least 4 types of blush. You get that that's more than 40 blushes to choose from. It took me forever for the blush not counting the base, mascara and eye shadow. Oh and the cereal isle, don't even get me started. Theres something to be said for choice but this was crazy!

Oh and can we talk about NOISE. This place is crazy loud. We're staying with Johnny's parents and while I love them and their comfy house there just isn't a place in this house to find peace. There's always someone coming in and out or a TV on or kids screaming and running through the house or something stealing my peace. We I was younger I loved this sorta life but after living in Croatia is and pining for peace.

Beyond the normal day to day differences between Croatia and America the spiritual temperature of Christians  seems to have changed a lot over just the last two years. The things that IFB churches chose not to participate in has changed. The average Christian seems to be so entangled with the things of this world that its hard to see a contrast between the church and the world. I know that it's not possible to make a comparison between Croatia that has only two IFB churches in all of the country and America who has been sending missionaries around the world for hundreds of years but I can compare America of 1990 with the America or today. Something is right folks! There a strange apathy here and I'm sure that this and the next generations will pay for our lack of fervency.

I know in my own heart I have grown a bit apathetic about souls and the urgency of our mission. I'm praying that the Lord sends true revival in my heart and that I return to Croatia a different kinds of Christian. Honestly my soul-winning effort hasn't been the same for a long while in Croatia. While I still do the work and pass out John and Romans, tracts and sometimes hold Gospel signs my heart hasn't been in it.

It's alway interesting to me how I never feel at home here anymore. I'm sure the Lord does that and changes our hearts so that furlough is easier and in not feeling comfortable here were not tempted to stay. As much as I love our family and country it's just not home anymore. I find my self missing the smells of Croatia, the people, singing in Croatian  and even my washing machine.  ;0)

I know I'm totally rambling in this post but that's about how my brain feels right about now. There are too many things occupying my mind and it just feels jumbled. Reverse culture shock is real and pretty uncomfy too. I don't like it at all but it is a fact of life.

Thank you guys, all of you who read my blog and take an interest in out lives here in Croatia. You've all made my little ring of friends so much richer.