Don’t Call it Reverse Culture Shock

Ever since I returned from my trips to Thailand and E. Asia, I have been feeling out of sync and just plain off. It wasn’t until I took a personal retreat last week that I was finally able to determine what was making me feel disconnected.

It would be easy to point out that I was experiencing “reverse culture shock”, which is commonly used to describe the shock missionaries experience when they reenter their home culture after having been away for so long. Sure enough, I was more sensitive to the materialistic, comfort-seeking and appearance-obsessive tendencies of our culture in Southern California. It didn’t take me long to experience the inflated sense of entitlement Americans champion while driving on the freeway, what with drivers weaving in and out and making sure you know you’re in their way (Does road rage even exist in other countries?).

Soon, I began to realize that although I had prepared myself for the sexual stronghold that holds Thailand captive and the oppressive regime that dominates E. Asia, I was blindsided by these spiritual strongholds that occupy Southern California. But the scary thing for me was feeling like I would eventually settle into this culture and accept materialism, comfort, appearance and entitlement as normal and nothing wrong (I can feel my impatience rise each time I drive here).

So what I finally realized was that this tension I was experiencing was not a result of readjusting to life back home, it was a result of not being satisfied that this was my home at all. Maybe I got a taste of what the pilgrims of old experienced when they longed for Home.

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
-Hebrews 11:13-16

It’s no coincidence that on this personal retreat I feel in love with John Bunyan’s classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress. My soul resonated with each word as I inserted myself in the story as a pilgrim on a journey to the Celestial City.

So don’t call it reverse culture shock.

Call it a bad case of being Homesick.

Pray for Evergreeners in E. Asia

To protect our Evergreeners in E. Asia, I’ll refer to them as “A” and “D” (You can ask me personally who they are but because this is on the web for all to see, I have to resort to this).

“A” just arrived in E. Asia for a medical missions project to help in an earthquake-devasted area for 11 months. It’s been neat getting to know this home-grown Evergreener and seeing her step out in faith for the purpose of seeing what God wants for her life.

“D” remains in E. Asia for another year term working with college students. I was able to catch up with “D” over the summer and am impressed by this brother’s dedication and commitment to the people of E. Asia amidst the personal sacrifices he’s had to make.

Make no mistake about it, “E. Asia” remains a country that largely persecutes believers so keep our brother and sister in prayer. It is so encouraging to see young people like “A” and “D” answer God’s call on their life overseas. They comprise what I call the “RE:generation“, the next generation of workers God is calling overseas and I thank God for them.

For more information on how you can support these Evergreeners financially and in prayer, contact me at vchen@evergreensgv.org.