I have come to realize that reality crashes in on you whether you're ready or not. Like today for instance.
I went and had lunch with a dear friend of mine from Australia today. And i was telling her about some of my cultural frustrations. Such as: in Peru it is VERY common to have a maid and a cook. I know it sounds extravagant, but here it's just normal. Now, one would think that i would be eating this right up ... but wouldn't you know it - i find it weird. I WANT to do the dishes. But i can't. I WANT to sweep the kitchen floor. But i can't. I WANT to make dinner some nights. But i can't. It is the weirdest thing to say - but i am having a hard time with this. I dont even vaccum my own bedroom floor. if i didnt make my bed every morning before i left for work, i would come home to find it made for me. And last night my dear cousin and confidant Christine made me realize that I am being stripped of my American independance. And i feel naked.
But then tonight i was standing outside of my house flagging a taxi when i spotted a man walking towards me in ripped clothes and worn shoes. Not thinking much of it i turned back to my task at hand - waving down a taxi. But then something struck me as odd. So i looked back to the man standing near a pile of garbage that had been set out for the trashmen to pick up in the morning. What i saw was this lonely man digging through the trash, looking for anything to eat, and anything of value. And it broke my heart. The song "hosanna" by Hillsong ran through my head at that precise moment " Break my heart for what breaks yours ... " One of my favorite songs had come to life, and in living color made sense. I felt it. I felt my heart breaking for this man. And then it hit me. BE THANKFUL for what i have here in Peru. I shouldnt be complaining about not being able to do the dishes. I am blessed beyond all reason to be able to be living here, in this country, and with this amazing family.
The sight of the man stayed with my for a long while after, and i think in some way it has changed the shock of these culturally accepted things i could not find myself to accept. And instead of complaining, i will choice to be thankful.
I went and had lunch with a dear friend of mine from Australia today. And i was telling her about some of my cultural frustrations. Such as: in Peru it is VERY common to have a maid and a cook. I know it sounds extravagant, but here it's just normal. Now, one would think that i would be eating this right up ... but wouldn't you know it - i find it weird. I WANT to do the dishes. But i can't. I WANT to sweep the kitchen floor. But i can't. I WANT to make dinner some nights. But i can't. It is the weirdest thing to say - but i am having a hard time with this. I dont even vaccum my own bedroom floor. if i didnt make my bed every morning before i left for work, i would come home to find it made for me. And last night my dear cousin and confidant Christine made me realize that I am being stripped of my American independance. And i feel naked.
But then tonight i was standing outside of my house flagging a taxi when i spotted a man walking towards me in ripped clothes and worn shoes. Not thinking much of it i turned back to my task at hand - waving down a taxi. But then something struck me as odd. So i looked back to the man standing near a pile of garbage that had been set out for the trashmen to pick up in the morning. What i saw was this lonely man digging through the trash, looking for anything to eat, and anything of value. And it broke my heart. The song "hosanna" by Hillsong ran through my head at that precise moment " Break my heart for what breaks yours ... " One of my favorite songs had come to life, and in living color made sense. I felt it. I felt my heart breaking for this man. And then it hit me. BE THANKFUL for what i have here in Peru. I shouldnt be complaining about not being able to do the dishes. I am blessed beyond all reason to be able to be living here, in this country, and with this amazing family.
The sight of the man stayed with my for a long while after, and i think in some way it has changed the shock of these culturally accepted things i could not find myself to accept. And instead of complaining, i will choice to be thankful.
