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.

Gotta Love Toyotas

A few weeks ago Dennis and I were walking around the lot at a Toyota dealership in Indy. A gray-blue Toyota Highlander caught my eye, and it was love at first sight.

So, while Dennis was out of the country I took it for a test drive. I checked Craigslist entering in the same year, same make and model, made some phone calls to make some comparisons and decided to go for it. So, here's my new car!

Now, some of you may not have shown interest in the vehicle. Here's why. It's a 2002, so 10 years old. It has high mileage. We're talking 146,000 miles. But, I liked the fact that it has a good history - one owner, well-maintained, regular check-ups, and very clean.

But, even more than those reasons, you need to know that we have a 1996 Toyota Camry that we've had for 10 years and it's still going on 263,500 miles. We bought that car with 136,000 miles on it, have put only routine maintenance dollars into it, and it's still running strong. Before that we had a 1990 Camry that hit 250,000 miles until it finally died years after it had been passed on to Julie. 

Now that I've bought the Highlander, Julie's going to inherit the '96 Camry. Who knows? They've been known to hit 300,000.

If the Highlander takes me to 264,000 miles like the Camry has so far, I'm in good shape!

Gotta love a Toyota! :)

Transplanted

When I was thinking about writing a post about our transition, I was going to call it "Uprooted," but then I began to think about that word, and it just didn't seem to fit. Transition is more than pulling up roots.

Instead, I thought of the word, transplant. I like to think that we are being transplanted. Like when I transplant garden plants or flowers to a different location.  Certainly, transplanting calls for uprooting, but to uproot without transplanting is like throwing weeds on a heap to die or letting the tender moist roots of a plant lay in the sun to wither. Transplanting gives hope and anticipation of what is to come.

The Chain Bridge on the Danube

When uprooted it's important to find a place to put roots down again. And, that's just what I'm beginning to do here in Indianapolis. Certainly, I miss Europe, Budapest to be exact. Dennis and I will be returning to Hungary at the end of this month to sort through and pack up. In the meantime, we are blessed to have temporary housing north of Indy.

Even in the temporary, I am finding my place. I have found a great running path. Rather than running next to elevated train tracks or the Danube River, I've discovered a path that runs along the White River, passing through a wooded area, then taking a turn that runs parallel to corn fields.

Indy (Thanks to Wikipedia)

To be sure, Indy doesn't have the Danube flowing through it, nor a castle on a hill, but it does have a lot to offer. It's just a matter of discovering the city, just like I discovered Budapest.

I've already met some wonderful people. I'm learning to get around the city. I know how to get to and from the airport since Dennis has made several trips out of the country so far. I actually bought a car all by myself on Saturday. Really.

So, in the temporary, I'm going to keep my roots moist and protected, anticipating growth in this new place. Still considering where we want to live, but that will come. Then I can really put some roots down. Transplanted. Anticipating what is to come and hopeful for a new place to thrive.