The transition story that follows was written by a missionary I met in one of the creative access countries of North Africa I’ve visited. She posted this on Facebook, describing her experience in being deported and how she processed this significant change in her life.
One year ago today my family and I were waiting at the airport to leave a country we love! After 7 years we were leaving.Transition is a beautiful thing. It can be so painful it takes your breath away, but it can also be such a blessing as you look back and see where the Lord has brought you.
We went There to teach at an American school. Over the years my husband and I held a couple of positions at the school. He was 6th grade teacher, high school teacher, IT staff and then finally IT Director. I held a wide variety of teaching positions.
While we were there we experienced various levels of home-sickness. We cried, pined, couldn't think straight, couldn't sleep, mourned over photos, were snippy with each other, whined, and wanted to go 'home.' But we also experienced there as 'home'; we laughed, made friends, traveled, shopped, decorated, studied, passed classes, took photos, grew, learned and loved.
Since we've been back, we've cried, pined, couldn't think straight, couldn't sleep, mourned over photos, been snippy with each other, whined and wanted to go 'home.' And we've laughed, made friends, traveled, shopped, decorated, studied, passed classes, took photos, grew, learned and loved.
Transition to There and transition back from There have been pretty much the same. The adjustment seemed so hard while we were getting used to being There. And yet people, There and Here, expected us to be going through that transition process. They knew what we were going through, they prayed for us, supported us, listened to us and cried with us. The transition back Here has been harder because most folks don't see us in transition, or at least not in one that would cause much stress. After all, we have come going 'home' to a familiar place, to familiar friends, to our native language.
Don't get me wrong, folks have been wonderful. People have listened when we asked to chat. They've been understanding when we have needed to vent. But, if they haven't had a chance to hear what we're going through, there is a certain attitude from some that says, “Why don't you just get over yourselves? You're home, you're safe, what could be so hard?”
And others, without meaning to offend, have asked questions such as, “Aren't you glad to be home?” How do I answer that? “Yes, I am glad to be Here to get to spend time with you and all that, but … No, I am not glad because I miss There so much. I miss the people, the culture, the food, the countryside, the language, etc. I could go on. I miss HOME!”
I am thankful for the people whom we have met both There and Here who understand, or want to understand, what all we've experienced. Those with whom we can cry and laugh and reminisce about There. Thank you, you are blessings to us!
Oh, don't worry, we have no regrets. It was clear to all of us that we were called to be There and it is clear to all of us that we are called to be back Here. But … that doesn't mean that we don't miss the country we love! Nor do we hold it against those who without meaning to have hurt us. Not everyone has had the opportunity to experience the things we have.
The good news is that while the transition has been difficult at times, it has also progressed just fine. We still miss There but now we can look back fondly, instead of with angst. When we first heard of folks There who went to our favorite restaurant we missed it, we pined. But now, when we hear of folks who have hung out with other dear friends of ours, we still miss it, but we can think of it with much less pain. Kind of a, “Oh, I remember them” response with a smile on our faces. I am sure that it will continue to get easier as time goes on.
