Back to Budapest

On Friday we will make a return trip to Budapest to bring closure to a season of living in Europe. Though, we see God's hand in the path we have taken in missions, we will sorely miss living in Budapest.

Over the past couple months we have heard, "Are you glad to be back in the states?" or "Isn't it good to be back?" I pause, nod my head to the side reflectively, "It's bittersweet. We have loved living in Budapest." I know it may be hard for Americans to imagine, especially if one has never lived outside the U.S., but the world is so much bigger than u.s. We have so much to learn from our other-side-of-the-world friends.

The first month back in the states, I experienced reverse culture shock - re-entry into one's home country. Two-and-half years in Europe made its mark. I wasn't expecting re-entry to hit me like it did. Even though we returned to the states at various times in this season, it wasn't home. Budapest was home, and we were going back. Once Dennis received his new role, we had to wrap our minds around the fact that the U.S. was to become home once again.

Our first week back in the states, I remember sitting at an outdoor table parallel to the sidewalk at a Pasadena Starbucks. Hearing conversations of those walking by, or catching most of the dialogue from the couple one table down from me was foreign territory. The English language was bombarding me left and right.

Picking up a few groceries at Meijer - a mid-west supercenter - was overwhelming. We wandered around trying to locate the items we needed in a daze. The "greater selection" they offer wasn't so great. Dennis finally said to me, "Let's get what we need and get out of here. I'm going crazy." We bolted out of there as quick as we could.

The other element that hit me. . . for lack of a better word, was the churchiness I felt. I wasn't use to seeing a fish on the backside of a vehicle, or a bumper sticker announcing "My child goes to such-and-such Christian school," or watching a father praying with his daughter before a meal at Panera, or hearing family conversations about God and church in a local restaurant. It took me back, and I found my mind swirling between life as I know it in Budapest, and my current reality.

Living outside of the culture as you have always known it, gives one a different perspective. It broadens your world-view. You learn to look at things within the context of a culture. You learn that a culture isn't necessarily good, or bad or wrong, it's just different.

Some seasoned colleagues shared some good tips with me as I begin this season:

• Just as I adapted to Budapest, I must adapt back to my home culture.
• Don't judge. So easy to return with a judgmental spirit. Remember, things are just different. People are living within the context of life as they know it.
• Enter with a learning posture. Be a student of your new culture, even if it's your own. :)

Reverse culture shock is already subsiding, but part of me doesn't want it to. I want to continue to have a world-view. Some people look at me like I'm crazy when I explain that Dennis and I are looking for housing in downtown Indy versus the suburbs. But, I think it's a drawing factor for me because it will surround us with the multicultural community that will keep me ever learning, ever growing. I don't want to lose that. I know. . .  I never thought I'd hear this country-raised girl say I want to live in the city, but here I am, and it's true.