Reintegration

Adapting back into our home culture in America is a process.  

It can be an emotional roller-coaster at times.  Sometimes our feelings and emotions change day by day; other times it is minute by minute.  There are things we love about our home culture and things we don’t.  There are equally many things we miss about life in Kenya, but also a number of things we don’t miss.  

Here are some of the good and bad about our reintegration process so far.

Our Challenges ~

Choices & Options. We easily feel overwhelmed at the constant decisions and choices.  It seems there are so many options... everywhere.  Where to go eat... what to order when you go to a restaurant... what sides to choose with your meal.  Going into the mega Supermarkets where there are rows and rows of anything in the world to buy can be overwhelming.  Shopping for 3 items takes longer than it should because we feel the need to evaluate all of the options; Are we getting the best deal?... Is this what I actually wanted?... Do I even need this?  

Pop Culture & Technology. We often feel we are a little behind everyone else.  We don’t know the latest and greatest TV shows or the hit songs or the popular movies.  Technology is definitely a few paces in front of us.  We don’t have a clue about the latest apps or newest gadgets. We are trying to catch up without getting caught-up in these less important things in life.

Comparison.  In Kenya, we rarely found ourselves comparing our lives to others around us. Yet, shortly after arriving back in the U.S., it seemed our thoughts easily focused on comparison. Do we wear the current style of clothes? Do we have a successful career?  Can we hold an intelligent conversation with our friends about culture, jobs, family life and more?  It is easy for us to be envious of other people’s talents, job success, knowledge, houses and possessions.  While Joe has been in Kenya for 11 years, life in America has continued.  People have built families and careers.  Years ago, we each gave up our careers, sold most of our possessions and moved to Africa.  Obviously, we’re not in the same place as most of our friends [our age] in America.  We’ve been challenged to re-center our focus back on Christ.  God gave each of us different talents and abilities and different life paths.  Wherever we are, whatever job we have, whatever our family looks like, we are supposed to live for Christ right there!  We know all of these things in our heart, but we have to keep reminding ourselves so we don’t get caught-up in these deadly comparisons. 

Transition.  While transitions are necessary and good, transition means you’re not where you once were, nor are you where you are going.  You’re in between.  For us, this means we’re living out of our suitcases and in a new city and new home every 1-2 weeks without any form of routine or normalcy.  We miss being settled and having our own home and way of doing life.  Yet, we’re called to live EACH DAY for God’s glory.  Not dwelling on the past or dreaming about the future. Simple to say, but hard to live out.

Things we embrace ~

Options. While the various options overwhelm us at times, we’re equally grateful for them!  It’s a blessing to have a number of great restaurants to choose from.  It’s even more incredible to go to a restaurant and they have more than 3 items on the menu! :-)

Traveling. One of the benefits of traveling around the U.S. for 4 months is that it gives us a chance to see, learn and gradually re-enter American culture.  We stay with different families in different homes in different parts of the country.  Each family is at a different stage of life and does life a little differently.  At times we are blown away by the various ways people are loving God, loving others and serving their community.  We are able to learn from how others do things to help us establish how we would like to live life in America when we settle down next year.  In the process, God is also opening our eyes to how we want to live for Him in America.    

Family & Friends. It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to travel for work and also have time to see family and friends along the way.  It’s very special to reconnect with friends we haven’t seen in a while and enjoy precious family time. Everyone has been very gracious to us; giving us some space but also spending time with us and letting us be a part of their lives. 

Sharing about Kenya. It’s a huge blessing to be able to continue talking about Kenya; sharing our stories and love for the ministry in Mbita. We love being at a church or an Open House and meeting a CGA sponsor and getting to tell them personal stories about their student.  It’s exciting to meet a new Suba Lakers partner and tell them about how special the girls are and why the Club means so much to them. Mostly, we love reconnecting with old friends and hope that when we share about Kenya, God is opening their eyes to a different part of the world.


We appreciate your prayers and grace as we reintegrate back into life in America!!