Confession time: Although I’ve enjoyed my time on the World Race, I sometimes find myself homesick. I know that some people expect me to be a tough guy who shouldn’t feel such feelings. But as we approached my birthday and Christmas (right next to each other), these feelings intensified because I’ve always been around my family for these two events.
This past month, we’ve been in Malaysia (not on our original route but still awesome) working in a small town called Gua Masang. We taught English, ministered to the indigenous population, and did some children’s programs. It certainly kept us busy and our minds occupied. A few days before December 25th, our team switched locations to another town: Kuala Lipis. There, we helped put on a full-fledged program for Christmas. During our time in Gua Masang, it was easy to forget about missing the holidays with my family but now that we were dedicating all our efforts towards this celebration on the 25th, the awareness that I would be away from home became more apparent to me. This brought along with it a bit of homesickness as I knew what I would be missing.
On Christmas Eve, our team went over to our host family’s house for dinner. I didn’t think much of it beforehand but little did I know what was in store. It turned out to be one of the most memorable Christmas Eve dinners. We sat down and dish after dish was brought out. There was everything from the familiar (Shepherd’s Pie and Mashed Potatoes) to new and exciting local dishes. There were several dishes that consisted of chicken and pork with delicious sauce that I can’t even pronounce the name of – it didn’t stop it from tasting good. There was also laughter as people from two completely different sides of the globe met and shared food and memories with each other. We even broke out the sparkling cider and did toasts. It was then I realized something – I felt at home.
It wasn’t because my family was there. I still missed them dearly – but it was something else. It was the fact that I was experiencing the loving community of the family of God. As believers we are all part of it and it is not limited by language, race, distance, origin, or any other boundary that people would try to put on it. We are united by one Savior and one Love that has its beginning in Him.
Even though I was away from home and away from my family for the holidays this year, God still showed me that I am never away from my spiritual family. This Christmas, I celebrated the Savior’s birth with my brothers and sisters in Christ and it did not take away from the joy and love because we were all part of God’s family.
A belated Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year!
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