Cure for Culture Shock

We’ve been here in Lima, Peru for three months. Three glorious months that is. And although I’ve lived in this busy city for ten years in my youth, these three months have not been without the moments when the culture shock has been gripping.

I’m sure I could google “cure’s for culture shock” and stumble upon some suggestions that are pretty interesting, humorous even. But I’ve found something that works.

I put in my earphones, and play Jon Foreman’s Southbound Train…loud. And I close my eyes and picture myself putting my head upon Jesus’ chest.

I inhale when He does, I exhale when He does.

And I remember that his love is sufficient. His strength is mine. I remember that my life is his, and his life is mine. And regardless of geography, the current state of comfort, the bank balance, the condition of my digestive system, I belong to him, and His banner over me is love.

And I picture moments. People. The things that make me smile and the things that remain a question mark. And I watch them fade into the bright light of what my given identity is – Loved.

….And I wait for the harmonica to kick in….

It’s the sound of the melt taking place, the sound of the built up plaque of fear getting scraped away, and the muck from my feet getting washed away.

And I remember I’m headed home…”not sure that home is a place I can still get to by train”…but I’m sure it’s a place I can get to by fixing my eyes on Jesus.

Turn it up. Join me for a moment.

This video is random shots from my phone capturing moments from the last three months. It’s a collage of my consciousness.