One Year

First off, a couple of announcements for this week: Happy Independence Day Central America!  And, Happy 25^th Anniversary Mom and Dad!  And finally, Happy 1 Year Kelsey!

So, tomorrow makes one year to the day since I first arrived here in the beautiful country of Costa Rica.  I thought it might be appropriate for me to do some reflecting on what I’ve learned, experienced, seen, done, and loved since then.  And my thoughts on this matter unfortunately are WAY too many and so I can’t include them all here.  Nevertheless, I thought I’d share those that shine the brightest, punch the hardest, and or stick out over and above the others.

To start with, let me just say that I am not the old me anymore.  That Kelsey has officially left the building.  And she ain’t coming back either.  But I’m still me.  Only different.  Like now without thinking I point to things with my lips or chin instead of my fingers.  And living with 16+ people doesn’t phase me anymore.  And now my hair is really long.  You know, things like that :)

Along the way, I’ve seen some amazing places, experienced new and strange cultures and customs, and met some awesome people, many of whom I now call friends.  One of those newfound friends recently posted this quote on her Facebook and I couldn’t agree more: “You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere.  That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.”

Susi, Rachel, Guapo, Fabri, Kendall, Me, Tali

So what have I learned?  Well, I’ve learned that EVERYONE has a story, a history, a background.  I’ve learned that I do too, a story that I had not once perceived nor appreciated.  And I’ve learned that we are not the sole owners of our stories—they are meant to be shared, to be spoken aloud, to be collectively learned from.  And each of our stories brings us to God in our own way—our faith becomes very personal when we look at it from this light. 
 

I’ve learned also that God speaks to us in a multitude of different ways and that he is in all things if we only have the eyes to see Him and the ears to hear Him speak.  And this continues to be a big challenge for me.  How are we supposed to see God in the drug addict on the corner, in the consumerist consumed teenager at school, in the manipulative gossiper in town, in the angry preacher at church?  How are we supposed to see Him when someone hurts us, lies to us, or betrays us?  How are we supposed to see God when all we can see is hopelessness, apathy, injustice, inequality, and hate?  I don’t have a textbook answer for you, only to say that He is there and to keep looking.

I’ve also learned that what it means to be a Christian, what it means to live radically as Jesus did, what it means to truly live out my faith.  If I am to follow what I say, what I believe, than living in a life of luxury, comfort, and tranquility is not where I need to be.  If I lived there, I would fall prey too quickly to the complacent, apathetic, blind lifestyle of many lukewarm Christians.  I am not disciplined enough to not need a constant reminder of the fallen world around me, a glaring sign blinking at me reminding me to seek justice in all areas of life, to actively love and live with the crucified peoples of the world.  In light of this weakness, I have decided that I could not morally agree with living in my own cultural context right now.  I have too much to learn, too much to see before I can even begin to entertain that thought.  So, for now, Central America is going to be my new foster home.  And you’re welcome to come visit me anytime :)

Stay tuned!