You know what I mean, right? You have heard this before, right? I am not the only person that when faced with injustice and grave poverty, finds life back home DIFFICULT.
Some say, "but Jackie, we have poverty and injustice here"...at home. And yes, I would agree. Fully agree. But can I put a few things in perspective for you? Actually. Let me tell you a story. A story of a young woman who happens to be a good friend of mine. She has spent the last two years of her life living in a country that has a poverty level that we cannot imagine. Even in our poorest of poor areas, we cannot imagine. And culturally she was as about as far from home as any young female could be. She lived in a city where women have no class. They do not count. Young female babies are disposable. And I mean LITERALLY. (if your mind takes you to the worst thought imaginable, you are correct)
Only men count.
And my friend...she was happy. She loved the people. They became her family. She worked hard to show the love of Jesus to everyone she met. She taught English. She played with children. She loved on the women. She spoke of faith and life. She immersed herself in the life there.
And then she came home.
I had the chance to sit down with her. At Sweet Frogs to be exact. Ironic. A place where you can indulge in the sweetest of fare. As much as you want. Made anyway you want it. You choose. (ummm, I digress.....)
My first question to my friend was this:
"What is the hardest thing about being back"?
Her reply confused me.
"I just want to buy applejuice."
WHAT?
And then she explains.
Shortly after she had gotten home, she went to the grocery store. She wanted some applejuice. But she found herself standing on the juice isle completely overwhelmed. There were so many to choose from! 100% juice. Vitamin C added. From Concentrate. Fresh, never frozen. Mott's, Muscleman's, Juicy Juice, Welch's, Treetop, Old Orchard. Shelves and shelves of it. Large. Small. Individual servings. You can even go get some already chilled for you. Ready now. Disposable.
I just wanted some applejuice.
Overabundance. Disposable. Sitting on shelves. Easily acquired. Easily taken (for granted).
It wrecked her. It wrecks me.
These are the feelings and struggles I have when I come home. And my friend had lived it for two years. We have so much. At our fingertips. And it requires so little of us.
Lift it off the shelf. Purchase. Consume. Repeat.
I struggle with other things as well. I struggle to wrap my head around the "work" I do while I am away on one of these trips.
Did my work count?
In a month, will anyone even know we were there?
What about a week?
Did I do all I could do to show the love of Christ?
I may not ever know.
But this is my hope for me:
-that I never take anything for granted. ever.
-that I live everyday THANKFUL that I know God and He knows me.
-that I remember but for the grace of God, I would be nothing.
-that everyday and in every way, I see people and the world as God sees them.
-that God never EVER lets me forget the truths above.
And this is my hope for the Roma that we served:
-that for a few days, you experienced life without predjudice
-that for a week, your stomachs were full
-that for a few hours, you forgot your burdens
-that for a priceless two days, you had your first vacation. ever. And you felt like a king!
-that you were pampered with face creams and nail polish and you felt beautiful.
-that you danced to some silly songs and felt carefree
-that as the man of the house, you could enjoy your family without worry of where your next paycheck/meal/shelter was coming from
My prayer is this:
-that for a lifetime, you will know that there is a God who loves you
-that for eternity, you would know Jesus as your savior.
-that I will see you again. In this lifetime. Or in heaven. Or both, please.
