Smoggy air. Cigarette smoke and burning fires. Bulldozers stirring up dirt nearby. Steep hills, dozens of steps, uneven ground. As a runner, any one of these obstacles would be challenging. But stick them all together and you have East Asia. Running here is challenging!
Ironically, this is exactly the climate of the general people here too—very challenging with lots of obstacles. As I walk through the town, people appear to scowl at me. Sad, angry faces reveal their suspicious, heavy hearts. The area is filled with a deep heaviness. My first week here, I felt helpless. Usually when I smile at people, language barriers are broken, and True Joy shines through. But here, there was no such response. The eyes of passer-bys are unwavering, filled with distrust and anger. I hear from my new friends that these people are just not used to foreigners, that they are shy and don’t know how to communicate with me. Also I have observed that the people do not have many reasons to be joy-filled, given the atmosphere of culture and pressure to earn enough money for their family. And I’m not able to publically tell them about the Joy that they’re missing! These obstacles make my time here very challenging.
I’ve also had some funny experiences in this culture. My first day here, one man elbowed his friend, pointed and talked (very loudly) about me in his own language. I innocently thought he liked the silver cup that I was holding which looks like the locals’ cups…until I realized that he was actually pointing and laughing at me. Remember, the people here do not see many non-Asians. Another funny thing: I’ve had many people take my picture. Sometimes it’s people that I know. Other times, it will be random people in stores or on the street. It’s somewhat humorous. They see me, point, talk loudly, and then whip out their camera phones. Once as this couple across the street took about a dozen pictures of me; I couldn’t help but laugh. After a few minutes of this game, I also whipped out my camera and took a picture of the local ‘photographers’.
I experienced culture shock, trying to process the culture of East Asia. After discussing my feelings with my Abba, I felt led to share my feelings with my teammates. To my surprise, many others on my squad felt the same way—heavy, having a hard time enjoying the culture here (outside of the two wonderful hours each day when we enjoy building relationships with young adults). I’m so glad that we processed our feelings together as a team.
Soon after sharing with the squad while I was running, a popular December song came on my MP3 player: “Rejoice! [He] has come to you!” I felt that the song was talking directly to East Asia! They didn’t know how to rejoice. And it’s my privilege to show them that they have every reason to have True Joy. Tears formed in my eyes as I sang aloud and pressed onward running the fifth mile that day. I knew I was beaming, radiating True Joy. I even saw a couple of hard eyes turn a bit softer, secretly pondering why I was so happy. Continuing my life-lesson, that same night my Abba spoke to me and basically said, “Suck it up cupcake.” Meaning, yes, this culture is hard. He knows that. And it’s good to share my feelings with Him and my Family/Friends so we can lift-up each other. But then, I need to get over myself! I’ve been called to this task for this time. I have that privilege! It’s not my job to cultivate love for the people inside of me. That’s His job. My job is to want that overflowing love. And to be obedient.
Since then, I’ve taken on a new outlook of the culture here. When people point and laugh at me, I rejoice! At least they have a source of laughter; I lift-up that they may soon find True Joy. Also I have noticed that I get less scowls. Perhaps it’s the sun, or the smog, or the clouds of dust. Whatever the case, the people seem to be scowling less and squinting more, which automatically pulls their faces upward; I choose to call it a smile! It honestly feels like the people on the streets are kinder and softer. Perhaps it’s just my perspective that has changed so much within the past couple of days. Or maybe it’s the Presence within me that is radiating brightly. Whatever the case, I now know what my friend Paul was talking about when he said that he was hard-pressed, but not crushed, etc. Please pray the atmosphere here—that my Abba will be honored through our hearts, actions, thoughts, words, etc. And that He will continue to fill our hearts with overflowing love and joy.
Oh, and side-note: I must tell you, my new young friends are amazing. What an honor to know them and build relationships. Please pray that they will know my Best Friend soon. When they ask why I’ve come to their country and how I have the opportunity, I tell them that my friends and family back home who have the same heart as mine wanted me to come build relationships with them. See what a difference you’re making half-way across the world!
