Culture shock two

We got up on Monday morning and packed and prepared to say our good byes. Pastor Gregorio was going to take us to the border. We freshened up and had a light breakfast. As austere as the accommodation were, with toilets that you weren't supposed to flush, showers that dribbled water, dust and dirt that seeped into everything, no TVs, Internet and intermittent cell phone service, it had become our home for just under a week. Someone noted that we came in and experienced a culture shock. Many of us were quite disillusioned on Tuesday night, but as we packed up, all of our initial concerns had faded to the background. Our priorities had shifted. We came in thinking about our needs. We left more concerned about their needs. We had become a part of them.

Gilberto, a local pastor came by with his wife and newborn daughter. Gilberto served as our translator every morning at the work site. He also shared his testimony. He told of drugs, prison and a Damascus Road experience which changed his life. He praised God for giving him a fresh start, a new wife and child, and a vision for ministry. He has a dream to reach out and warn kids about drugs. He has plans to build his own church. Right now he is working as an associate Pastor in another church in Mexicali.

We pulled out of the seminary at 9:00 a.m. and it took us just over an hour to get across the border. The cars were backed up for a couple of miles. They checked our passports and we made it through and were on the road again. Every one's thoughts began to turn back to our obligations at home again. It seemed quite a few of us had small situations to deal with. It was like we had entered a different world again. Our biggest concern one day earlier was whether or not we were going to get enough hot water to take a shower. Now we were back to worrying about what was happening at work, whether bills were going to get paid, about something that we needed to take care of at home and so on. You could feel the stress rising.

It is so funny. We actually felt bad for the people of Mexicali at one point during the week. We saw what they didn't have and our hearts ached. But as we returned to our world, there was a part of us that understood the fact that a simpler life style isn't all bad. There is some blessing in it. Maybe that is something we can bring back with us as we come home.

Cal