Last week my family went on a cruise. It was my parent’s Christmas present to us kids and it was my first cruise. I cannot tell you how excited I was to go on this cruise.
And it turned out being one of the most emotional trips of my life! You would think after traveling to over 15 countries for missions, I have had my full of emotion. But nothing could have prepared me for this trip.
I spent 6 of the last 7 months living in Asia. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE Asia! I had been home for about 5 weeks before the cruise. When I came home from the Race, I experienced ‘culture shock’ about 5 weeks after being back in the States.
The Norwegian Sun was full of awesome staff from all over the world. And to me, it was really bizarre. We had staff from many places where I have momentarily lived:
The Philippines
Eastern Europe
India
Places in Central America
Places in Africa
I understand that my photos are a bit partial towards poverty. And I know many of the staff come from families and circumstances far away from poverty. However, I also know some of these staff work on the ship for 6-8 months out of the year to provide for their families!
One of our waiters from Indonesia was talking about how he has two children: 14 and 5. He works on the ship for 8 months out of the year, so he can provide for his children! When I heard stories like this, or I saw how we were luxuriously treated in our uber fancy dining room, I could barely hold back my ever present tears.
One thing that cruises are famous for is their incredible amount of delicious food. If there is one thing I observed in almost every country I have visited is this; they do not waste food! Last week, I saw so much food wasted. I could not begin to imagine what some of the staff thought or felt when they had to physically throw pounds and pounds of food away, food which could feed their families and their communities.
These thoughts were invading my head. Our last night there I walked around the deck on the 6th floor and just wept and prayed. Everything seemed so ‘unfair’. I hate to think these parents are living their lives away from their children so they can have a better life!
Here is a picture of some of the great staff!
After being in Asia for 6 of the last 7 months, it was strange to be in America with so many people from other parts of the world. So much of my heart feels more at home when I am in different parts of Asia. I wanted to stay on the ship so badly, simply because I wanted to be near the people. I plan to be in the States as I obtain my Master’s and I was absolutely heart-broken to know I will not be around people from Asia untiI I am finished! The emotions I have experienced the past 5 days are ones I have never experienced and I cannot describe.
But my passion to be living with Asians is strong and I pray and hope God will give me peace in this season and guidance for the next! I would love your prayers as I continue to settle here in NC for this season.
I was reminded of this catchy Filipino song and I listened to it a lot today! Check it out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji_CSL2JJ5A
