Reverse Culture Shock

Posted on December 21, 2015 by adrienneorris

There is culture shock. And then there is reverse culture shock. I notice that there is not dust on everything. I struggle to drive or judge distance when driving. Stairs are an odd thing to me. A car is an odd thing to me. And I find myself claustrophobic. I notice that all of the rooms are closed in. Everything is arranged and has its own space. I stand in a room and truly am claustrophobic. There is carpet and plush furniture and there is not trash. I drive down streets and the houses are so far apart. And they are houses. Large houses. I cannot focus on a conversation because my eyes wander to small things like flower arrangements, or how candles are arranged or words on walls. It’s ok. It’s just remembering what this culture and life was like.

I walked into the high school that I used to teach in and the students looked foreign to me. I did not recognize the style of clothes, the hair or their routines. It is a strange feeling to be a foreigner in a place that used to be so familiar. I stood in my old classroom and could still sense what it was like to teach there. But it was weird. There were my cabinets and plants and my bird on the wall and posters that I had, but it had been too long since I lived in that room. I noticed everything that was different, and everything that was the same.

It is Christmas time which means that there is hustle and bustle everywhere. I have avoided most of it. Not necessarily on purpose, but it is not part of my routine anymore. I love the Christmas lights and take joy in the small things I never really enjoyed while I was here. The longer I live a second life, the less of my first life feels normal. Living between two worlds is so difficult. There are so many conversations that feel as if I am a stranger. A lot changes in three years. It is harder to relate. My life is so different than a life here. And lives here are so different from mine.

I am calling my transition back right now more like reverse culture shock. It is difficult to put into words what the last year has been like. It has been my life. It has been my assignment. It has been where God has placed me and used me. Everyone always wants to know what it feels like to be back… and some days it is comforting, enjoyable and relaxing and other days it can be overwhelming and stressful. I am grateful that I thrive on interaction and people. Although this can be a culture shock as well. I can speak English. Which can be a shock… but this is something I will welcome.

Be blessed this Christmas! The good news is that this holiday is universal. Jesus came to this earth for every tribe, every nation, every tongue… He is transcendent. And he fits every culture. Possibly a little different, but He is one constant regardless of the culture. His purpose and life were the same. And he knows how to communicate to all. What a great gift!

……………………………………………………………………………………….

For those of you who have followed Katie’s journey, her last three entries give light to the struggle here. https://theaaronfickers.wordpress.com/ Especially her Love Always Wins entry. Thank you, thank you for your prayers and support through this journey. We know that our God is greater than any pain that this world might give us.

Market View

Posted on December 6, 2015 by adrienneorris

I wanted to show you that we really do have all we need here. There are plenty of “thrift tarps” that contain jeans and shirts right in between the fruit stands, pharmacy table and toiletries. Corn to grind for tortillas, the local fruit that is in season, chickens and a tuk tuk to take you home after your arms are full with purchases.

the jean store

fresh bananas

the pharmacy

the fabric store

fruit stand

soap with sugarcane

avacados

peanuts

tuk tuk waiting to take people home

thrift store

corn to grind for tortillas

tomato row

toothpaste neatly stacked

chickens

hardware store

Grateful

Posted on December 6, 2015 by adrienneorris

As the holiday season comes and goes, the word that I’ve had on my heart more than thankful, is grateful. I spent much time around Thanksgiving explaining to the Guatemalans what this holiday means to us…. And then in personal reflection over things that I was thankful for this month.

There are many changes that living in a third world country has brought about to me – in changing my perspective. When you grow up surrounded by safe, or relatively safe, there are many things that we often do not consider. But as I see suffering all around me. As I spend time questioning customs or beliefs or ways of doing things… I realize that I have been beyond blessed. I have suffered minimally. I do not know injustice. I have not had to truly live without. In everything that I have done I have had a banquet before me – I have had options. What activities do I want to participate in? Where do I want to go to college? What do I want to study? Where do I want to live? What kind of house do I want? What car will I drive? What will I eat today?

And so grateful is the word that I focus on. It is easy here as there are few things to compare to. Few things to actually want. And the life in the states is shut off in your mind. Then there are those days that are hard. There are those days when what should have taken an hour took the entire morning. There are those days where the sun is setting and you think, I was just beginning. I often find myself wondering, why is it so hard here. It is emotionally draining. It is spiritually draining. It is time draining. If I didn’t have a clock here, I would think that the days were 18 hour days here and not 24 hour days. But in the midst of living through the hard, I think about the people around me – often. They do not know the difference. They do not think about a life that could be different. Because they do not know different. They do not know that not everyone in the world prepares all of their food from scratch , or that to me it is odd to eat the same thing, every day. They have never seen a closet stocked with clothes arranged by color or seen a grocery store where you can buy food already prepared for you. They do not know what it is like to travel on a super highway to multitask. Likewise though, they do not know what it is like to not be cold, to have plenty of food and more clothes than you can imagine. They do not know what it is to have a house large enough that each person has their own room and can make it whatever temperature they want. Or to be able to choose whether they want ham, turkey, bacon or chicken on their sub sandwich. Or that hot water is an expectation along with carpet on floors. And so I am grateful. I am grateful to know the difference and to have lived with conveniences most of my life. I am grateful to have another perspective and to have seen beyond this tiny town here. Yes it is hard to be stripped of the conveniences that we often as Americans think are our rights…. But there is freedom as well in having little, living on what you have and not having to make choices – because there is not other option.

Grateful. That is what I am this holiday season. Even though I live simpler than I lived while I was in the states. Even if my skirt has a hole in it or my sweatshirt is faded. I am grateful. When I am slowed down by this culture. When something takes all day that in the states would have taken a minute. I remind myself to be grateful. I have come into a different culture. And I need to live by the cultural guidelines that are here…. And I am grateful to have known something different.

Yes…. I tell myself all of these things today because I am about to do a cultural hop again and be in the states for Christmas… and so I mentally prepare for the culture shock of convenience.

Heading to work….. and the most “convenient” way to get good beef around here….

The Final Test

Posted on November 22, 2015 by adrienneorris

I can remember that feeling each June…. The last day of school. It was busy, busy, activity, keeping kids occupied and focused, grading papers, testing, calculating…. and then silence. It was sort of like that here although I am not sure I feel that relief that I felt in the states when the students left for the summer. Here there is always the thought of the preparation for the next year. And life just transitions to the next thing.

I will say that my last exam here did give me a feeling of being pushed over the edge – and having the reminder that I was teaching in a third world country. We didn’t have power that day. It was supposed to come on before the exam and never did. We rigged up the generator and hooked up flood lights from the construction site. And then the generator ran out of gas. Twice. The lights went off three times. The students could be heard cheating. I found words for the exam written on a few hands. We switched classrooms in the middle of the exam. And exam that was supposed to start of 4:45 and be done at 6:15 got over at 9:30….. and I walked out of there thinking… It sure would be nice to be teaching in the states right now, with the guarantee of things being slightly more smooth. But that is what I have traded here. I have traded the right to have electricity. The right to be able to discipline in English. The right to have a time schedule. And the right to set my own parameters. No matter how much I try to be prepared for something, God can always throw a quirk into the system to keep me flexible.

This was our first year for our University Program – although to me it feels as if it was a very long year. Probably because it was taught in semesters. As always, there are many things that you learn along the way. I believe that as teachers, there is always something else that we want to do for our students. There is always something that we know we can do better. The greatest challenge in the university was keeping the standard high. It is the first program of its kind here, and there are many people who would like employment. And so, the students came in with differing levels of education, and the Department of Health requires the students to score 71% in each of their classes. This is a very high level that most of the students were not used to. And so…. The challenge lies in getting these students to this level. Unfortunately they won’t all make it. But my hope is that through the challenge, they learned more about themselves. They saw a little of what it takes to be successful. And they gained motivation along the way. This first class of students still has two more years…. But for now, we take a break until January.

Ceilings and Corridors and Cement

Posted on November 8, 2015 by adrienneorris

I know that some people are interested in the construction…. and what’s happening at the hospital property… and I will admit, when I took a quick walk through the walls of block this week, it felt alive I could see people being cared for and beds moving through these corridors. And as I spent some time in a hospital in the city, it made the desperation seem all that more real. We won’t be able to treat everything. We won’t be able to do everything. In fact, we will be limited… but it will be an option. It will be a place that brings life. A place for healing. Here are current pictures of where we are.

Walking into the courtyard – the far end is the kitchen.

The operating rooms.

The second corridor – operating rooms and wards. Above this they have started on the second story.

The wards

A panoramic of the courtyard… they are currently laying corridors around the outside.

Finishing the walls

The latest corridor. There will be a roof around this courtyard and it will be open air in the middle.

First Graduation

Posted on November 1, 2015 by adrienneorris

Two years sounds like a long time, but when I really reflect on time, I realize how short two years is, and how fast it is gone. We had the honor of graduating our first class and I will admit that I was proud, very proud of them when they walked off of that stage.

Graduation is done here much like graduation in the states. It is a ceremony. The students wore graduation gowns. We tried to make it as special as possible. Yet there were also a few contrasting differences. I will try to highlight what this ceremony looks like.

Putting on the togas and caps.

Carrying in the flag.

Signing of the Acta – the students all sign this document that they have completed all of the governmental requirements.

Comments from the students

This part was very touching… the parents each come to the stage and give their children a ring. This showed how proud the family members were of their students.

The audience

Saluting the flag.

Parent’s speech.

Lighting of the candles and accepting the graduates by the families.

Passing on of the flag to the next class.

Family Time

Proud of these girls!

So where does that leave us? Well, just another year in. We are prepping for next year and have offered two different careers in nursing – a three year program, and a one year program. And this year’s class will be promoted as well in our high school program and we will accept a new class. Where does that leave us – relying on God’s grace and wisdom …. That’s right where it leaves us. Winding down and winding up and giving thanks for the opportunity to see our first class graduate.

Eyes that see

Posted on October 25, 2015 by adrienneorris

I continue to see this verse and it has been one to encourage me during my season here in Guatemala. It is easy to hide. To hide from the states and all that is going on there. To hide from the world and the changes that are continual here. To get into a routine here and be invisible to many. And so the reminder that we are seen by God, even through the trials is so very real.

Life here is hard. It is automatically harder because you are drawn away from your natural support base. You are in a land where you will forever live as a foreigner. It does not matter how many years you are here, how many sacrifices you make or how many times you help someone. The reminder that you are a foreigner is daily.

In choosing to live here, I am choosing to be separated from my family and friends. And this automatically gives me a sense of lonliness and isolation. It is not like moving to a new town where the first few months are hard, but after that you find the neighbors that you click with, you reestablish friend groups, and you move on. No. This is different. You will never find a church where you feel at home. You will never be able to completely trust a neighbor. There will forever be cultural differences.

And although I am eternally grateful for the other Americans that are here – because we can sit down at a table and speak the same language and the same culture…. There are still differences. I love how God hand chose each family and person that is here. It shows his sense of humor. And when we talk about whether we would be friends if we lived in the states – the truth is that most of the people I live with would not be in my circle of community. But we are forced to live together and build community. There is underlying support because we are all in this together. We all have the same longings.

And so… when I am reminded that my God is the God that sees me, I am reminded that no matter the degree of isolation or loneliness that comes with living here and being single. No matter the degree of frustration that this is not my culture and this is not my home. No matter how many times I am misunderstood or have unmet expectations… God sees me right where I am and is willing to meet me there. And that alone is comfort. May we each be reminded of that truth – God sees us and instills hope in us right where we are.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Onward Ants

Posted on October 25, 2015 by adrienneorris

I have had this post in my head – every time I see ants. And in this valley, that is a lot. What impressed me most is their dedication and determination for a goal. I come across paths of ants that make a dark line across my path. And I stand and watch. Sometimes I even put a stick in their way or a pile of sand to watch what they will do. I try to change their path and confuse them. And always, I find that they are persistent towards their goal. And I find myself thinking that I could really learn from these ants.

Isn’t that how we should be also? Persistent towards your goal. And so I find myself asking myself so many times – what is my goal? How can we be more like these ants? God has given me an assignment and for right now it is here… how do I do that well? How can I have the determination of an ant? How can I move forward even when challenges come my way?

I notice ants here also because of the annoyance that they are. Recently a friend of mine said, “I don’t really mind the ants except for the ones that move so fast.” And I laughed internally because I cannot imagine liking ants. Of any species. They irritate me. They burn my skin. They bite me. They make me itch. For me it is impossible not to notice an ant on you – not for it’s size but by it’s bite. I don’t think that we should be that annoying or that we should inflict venom upon people like the ants, but I do think that at times we are called to be noticed. That we are called to be that thing that sticks out. That encourages. That scurries along undaunted by their task.

But even more than their persistence, what I think I like best about ants is that you never find them alone. No ant can exist by itself. It is part of the colony as a whole. Each ant with its own responsibility. Each ant contributing to the overall goal. Maybe that is what God had in mind when he created ants. For them to serve as an example to us of ultimate teamwork. United together. I think it is impossible to find an ant alone. Ants are found in the company of other ants. And we as Christians are also called to this same task – to march on even when there are obstacles in our path. Even when people come along and put a stick along the path. Together the ants work. Together the ants fight. They find themselves surrounded by support.

As I reflect this morning on the ants, I want to encourage those Christians around the world to remember – we are all in this together. We are all serving and working and living with an ultimate goal in mind. We need to be reminded of the hope that exists -the eternal hope. And we need to stay united – because there is nothing that the enemy wants more than to confuse us and take us off course.

Be blessed and remain steadfast like the ant!

Decorations

Posted on October 17, 2015 by adrienneorris

The students had a contest this month to see who could spice up their classroom the best. Here are a few of their ideas that will show you the taste of Guatemala.

Guatemalan flags all over the room.

Guatemalan flag on the ceiling made from tissue paper with the lights covered with plastic balls and cups to give it a disco club feel.

The Quinto class (5to) which is the last level of high school, made a mat as you come in their room from plastic pop caps that spelled out their class.

A pond that the 4to kids constructed in the corner of their class complete with a boat and floating flowers.

The school’s values sewn into fans (to flame fires)

Two of the physics projects on circuits.

Official

Posted on October 17, 2015 by adrienneorris

Dr. Harold Caballeros is the founder and president of San Pablo University. We know and are convinced that God has called us to partner with him for the educational piece of Adonai. His heart is in transforming the country through education and most importantly with the love of Christ. And so, he came to Canilla to sign the official papers with Duane as we agreed to go forward together as one.

The San Pablo students did a great job in welcoming him and preparing the room for him to speak.

The official program was delayed a week due to rain the not being able to travel in the plane, but he finally had the opportunity to address the people with his message of transformation… challenging the churches and the people to grasp this vision. He believes that we are all in this together and that the church plays a big part in growing up young people. Fortunately, there is a growing group of young people in town that is catching the vision and pressing into what God has for them.

This is the official meeting place called the “salon” in town. Here are some of the people who came to hear what Harold said.

He came for a brief meet and greet at the school before going to town. At this time he challenged the students to set a high standard as they will be the first nursing class to graduate from San Pablo. They offer other career courses, but we are paving the way for them to add nursing to the careers that students can study through San Pablo.

I am always impressed with what can be made from Styrofoam and tissue paper. These decorations are impressive for this area! And we were proud of how well the students did.