Month 12 – U…S….A!
We touched down on the runway of Miami International Airport
on July 28 at about 530pm. At that
moment I had already said goodbye to many of my squadmates and teammates but
there were still a few hard goodbyes.
Walking through the airport I watched family reunions and it all seemed
so surreal. I wondered what it would be
like to see people I knew again… as I hadn’t “bumped” into someone I knew all
my life for over 11 months.
So what has Month 12 brought? What is it like being back in the United
States? Are you experiencing culture
shock? What are some ways that you have changed in the past year?
“I got nothing”… that is how I felt for the first two weeks
after getting home. I spent a large amount of time writing down my thoughts and
stories from the year… recalling the hardship and victories. Tired, confused,
emotionally and physically exhausted would’ve been a good way to describe
myself. Figuring out in my heart and mind how the past year would fit into my
future calling. Realizing that I have
more questions than answers and that the live we live is a life of faith not of
control. Thankful and appreciative for
the 11 months, but mourning the loss of a beautiful community filled with
beautiful people who are world changers.
Some observations I noticed about my time in the U.S…
1. People are very closed off and for the most part
don’t want to be talked to on a public bus or train. People simply don’t have much of a desire to
talk to “randoms” on the street.
2. We are a “busy” people despite all our modern
conveniences and technology
3. Americans are impatient and expect things to
happen quickly and their needs to be met or they will go somewhere else to eat,
change the channel, or find a new cell phone company.
So… back to that doggone question… How have I changed? I am more sensitive to the needs of myself and
others. I would like to think I live
with less of a sense of entitlement and offer more grace and patience to the
people I come in contact with. Throughout
this year the Lord has laid sharing the gospel and discipleship heavy on my heart. The vision of a life that says you need not
worry Kevin, because I am in control and all authority in heaven has been given
to you(Matt. 28:18). So walk in that
authority and influence and believe that our time on this earth ain’t going to
be perfect, and people aren’t going to be perfect, but that is alright.
Matthew 9:12-13… “Those who are well have no need for a
physician, but those who are sick. Go
and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but
sinners.”
It’s been a journey and a blessing… thanks for coming along!
Kevin Mark Vander Wal
