Another month has come and gone. Transitions are always a strange time. I’ve never done well with change, but
I’m jumping on the band wagon and going for the ride. Leaving Tonciu was difficult. The people in the village had
become our family. They not only provided food and shelter, but they offered us themselves. They taught us lessons
they never knew they were teaching. The villagers met us at the bus stop to bid farewell on Monday morning. The
bus was an hour and a half late (America is one of the few countries in the world that actually strictly adheres to
schedules), so we had the chance so spend a little more time with our new family. They begged us to stay in Tonciu.
They asked us if we would ever be back. All we could say was that part of us would always stay in Tonciu. I know it’s
cheesy, but it’s true. We were the first Americans to ever live in their village. Before we left the house for the last time,
Papa said this to us through our translator: “I do not know the American language, but I love the American people.” Everyone cried and lined up outside the bus as we drove away. We are continuing our journey, but they will remain there in Tonciu and life will go on. My hope is that our stay there had an impact. If they received from us only a portion of what we received from them, then Tonciu will be a force to be reckoned with.
One of the main things I’m taking from Tonciu is the continual reshaping of my view of success and productivity. I struggled with the gypsy lifestyle at first. A usual day for them often consists of wandering through the village and visiting people. They spend hours upon hours sitting and talking while chopping peppers. They sit outside and greet people as they pass by. The kids gather and play soccer in the street. If you know me, you know that I pretty much always have to be doing something. I get bored very easily, a characteristic that has helped me adopt many random and strange hobbies. I like to go, go, go and do, do, do. These people are helping me learn to be, be, be. They focus so strongly on relationships and community with their family and neighbors. They value conversation and time above mindless work. I’m not saying that everyone in America should quit their jobs and move to the Bahamas (although I’m sure most of you wouldn’t mind that at all). I’m saying we need a change in focus. We need to slow down and redifine what it means to be successful. My automatic logic says that these people are lazy, but God is showing me that they’re the ones who have it figured out.
