Time Flies, and So Do I

"'The time has come,' the Walrus said,

'To talk of many things:'"

Thus begins my final post from Italy; it might be somewhat scattered and shall be full of quotes, hopefully less random than this opening statement taken from Lewis Carroll's The Walrus and the Carpenter.

Details and photos of my last week and final Sunday will be coming in a few days, unless the Oklahoma snow thwarts my arrival.

When I began my work with Avanti, I could never have imagined all that would transpire during my time here. I still cannot believe that I have come to the end of this journey. Continuing with the Lord of the Rings trend begun in my last post, here's a thought from Bilbo Baggins:

"It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to."

Even if you do keep your feet, so to speak, you can be swept off to places (physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually) that you'd never have imagined. Each day that you go out your door, whether intentionally embarking on a journey or just going about your daily business, is full of life-changing and life-enriching possibilities.

I now return from this particular, extended journey to the land where I will have a dryer, dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, air conditioning, legitimate shower, and car. I really did just fine without all these modern conveniences (except maybe the shower), though a car would've been convenient at times. I will, however, miss being within walking distance of the church aka my place of employment, grocery store, post office, park, utilities company, town square, market, and train station (the farthest away of these destinations at 13 minutes). I have enjoyed living more simply and also experiencing the seasons more fully as I am outside more often here.

The process of giving away possessions, rather than being stressful or nostalgic, has been more like getting to be a belated Santa Claus. I enjoy being able to pass along to other missionaries and church members the blessings I received:

"Freely you have received, freely give." ~Jesus (Matthew 10:8)

The reality and finality of this move is at times hard to fathom, but I know that God will be with me as I make my transition just as He has been all along:

"if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast."

~Psalm 139:9b-10

God's been clearly at work on this side of the ocean, and I trust that this promise will hold true back on the other side as well, though I know I will experience some reverse culture shock. I take comfort in the fact that on all previous returns to America from overseas travels, I anticipated being somewhat traumatized or discontent, but when I got there I really was okay.

"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation." ~Paul (Philippians 4:12)

"Wherever you are, be all there." ~Jim Elliot

To give you a little insight into the adjustments, whether monumental or superficial, of a cross-cultural worker, here are some differences that have already come to mind: I will... rejoice at the prevalence of free water.. be shocked by the smaller length of printer paper (this has already happened on the couple occasions in which I've come across a stray American sheet).. shed a tear or two upon hearing a hymn that reminds me of Italy.. bemoan excessive air conditioning and revel in sufficient heating.. miss being at a church where I know everyone and can greet them all every Sunday.. be able to run errands more efficiently but miss the feeling of victory at getting something accomplished in Italy.. think of phrases in Italian and not find a satisfactory way to express them in English (some things just sound better in one language or the other).. use prepositions improperly.. find people and places so familiar that it may feel as if I never left..

"But seas between us braid hae roared,

Sin' auld lang syne."

~Robert Burns, Auld Lang Syne

{Americanizing the Scots vocabulary = But seas between us broad have roared, since long ago.}

Literally and figuratively, this distance between two years ago and now has been an ocean. People come and go. Relationships change. I am not the same person I was when I left America. Though everything may look the same, everything cannot ever be the same. Mostly positive, sometimes regrettable, it is most certainly inevitable: a part of life and a part of growing up. As a previous stanza of the same Burns poem notes:

"But we've wandered mony a weary foot,

Sin' auld lang syne."

Weary feet, perhaps. Much wandering, certainly. Time elapsed. Hearts encouraged. Transformation and growth witnessed. Love poured out. Wisdom taken in. Experiences gained. Worries lost. Independence enacted. Community felt. Memories made. Innumerable snapshots in my mind.

I can't sum up my time here any better than Paul's declaration in I Thessalonians 2:8:

"...we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."