There's a Shift

Way back before we left for Mexico, I remember my kids saying that they anticipated that the most challenging part of the mission trip would be the change in them individually when they got back, especially magnified with Christmas just around the corner. I appreciated their realistic insight, and I agree 100%. I realized that there has been that shift in me, as well.

I recognize that a mission trip can drastically shift your perspective and that you can return feeling quite angry at the culture we live in. My intent isn't to blast anyone, but to share my opinion. . .

One contrast that I recognize has been of that towards authority (police and military). In Mexico, military stops are very frequent and once you get over the fact that they are casually toting machine guns, wearing full masks and overall, very intimidating, you need to remember that they are stopping and searching vehicles looking for the drug lords, smugglers, etc. for our safety. When we crossed the border, there was one more checkpoint, this time by the US border patrol. They were looking for illegal immigrants and were shocked that we had driven in Mexico (they said it was incredibly dangerous). While the first few mexican checkpoints were scary (warnings of the dangers to tourists flashed through my head) the reassurance of God's ultimate protection surrounded me.

There was a distinct cultural difference once we crossed the border. It was beyond the houses, roads and litter, the shift went from needs to excessive. This was magnified even more when we went off the highway and drove "The Strip" in Las Vegas. Perhaps at another time it wouldn't be so repulsive to me, or maybe not . . . I was reminded of the old west, where the stores would put up huge, fancy fronts to hide the simple shacks behind. It was a disguise or even deception, more for show then practicality.

As we drove past the flashing lights, stores with everything, huge shows and plenty of people, I couldn't help but thing about the blue, tarped, shelter that housed Carmela and her family. The shelter was only big enough for 2 filthy mattresses, nothing else. The house we built looked like a palace next to it, yet it would be considered a garden shed to most in Canada. Contrasts.

I think the hardest thing to wrap my mind around right now is the fact that it is Christmas in just a few weeks. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas, it's probably my most favourite time of the year, but was has thrown me is the jump from a poverty-stricken neighbourhood, to Christmas commercials focusing on getting all the "stuff".

I am not about to throw out the celebrating of Christ's birth, but I am praying for clear wisdom on how to keep Christmas a meaningful celebration without being consumed (or jaded) by the materialism. Even shopping has shifted this year as I found simple treasures in Mexico--each with a story behind them.

At this point, we are all beyond exhausted and just ready to be home. We are planning on not jumping into life quickly, but instead, taking a few days to meditate on and process all we learned. Our deepest prayer is that the lessons learned would take root deep in our hearts and not be choked out by unnecessary distractions.