Yes Even Hollywood

Today I thank God for the U.S.A.

As a Canadian I confess it would be far too easy for me to write everything I find wrong or disconcerting with my neighbours to the South. But today is a special day for them, and should be for us too.

 

Here are five things I appreciate about America (ordered from least significant to most):

1. Hollywood – Celebrity status, immorality and blockbuster pressure aside, I appreciate this film industry’s original quest to pursue film as art, to showcase new talent, and even to educate while entertain us.

2. Shopping – thanks for the invitation to save $$$ on gasoline, books, clothing – it’s true you have fallen on extremely hard economic times, and as much as I support local products, I tire of seeing marked up CDN prices at Chapters or Starbucks above the USD prices.

3. Athletics – baseball, football and basketball – from the cradle to the grave there is a strategy to instill society’s “up and coming” athletes to be all they can be. We can even see a growing emphasis of youth programs for our beloved sport of hockey in all larger cities…awesome. (Canuck fans let’s stay grateful for our very own Michigan born Ryan Kesler!)

4. Dynamic missionary heritage – of course times are changing and America’s role as a missionary sending force has changed from pioneer to partner, however, for much of this century, missionaries and local churches have maintained a bold commitment to seeing the unreached all over the world hear of the good news of Jesus.

5. Young Christian leaders – The Student Volunteer Movement was a powerful moment in history, a prayer meeting around a haystack changed countless lives (see photo). Today it appears there is a resurgence of young adults who exemplify risk taking obedience to Jesus…there seems to be a growing movement again who will go anywhere and do anything the Lord asks of them.

Here’s what one young adult said after returning this June from a TREK team experience: “I still feel God leading me oversees in full-time missions. This is the only life I can imagine myself in.”

What comes to your mind as you thank God for the U.S.A?

Homecoming Hazards

Life is full of ‘hellos’ and ‘goodbyes.’ Our relational contexts are constantly changing.  While we leave some behind, we fumble our way into new ones. A change in college, workplace or neighborhood of residence begins a journey into new relationships.  We function well in that new context believing ourselves to be relational geniuses, but then A COLLEGE or FAMILY REUNION occurs!

Why is that reunion so awkward for everyone? In some ways it appears as though nothing has changed – the old jokes return, the stereotypes, and the certain relational cliques all reconstruct instantaneously.  On the other hand, many things have changed – and I’m not just talking about that new belly roll or bald spot – people have literally grown up, experienced the challenges and joys of life.  This should be a stimulating and exciting environment. Often it is not.

Re-entering back into relationships after years of being away is an acquired skill. Some are better at it than others. The greater the length of time passed in another environment, the tougher it is to reintegrate back into former contexts.

Nothing illustrates this better than someone who has lived for an extended period of time in another country, as a missionary.

When one re-enters from living for an extended time in a cross-cultural community, the challenge of meaningful engagement with the new/old culture and its community presents significant hazards.

1. Alienation  – the tendency to isolate ourselves from others.

 We use excuses like:

“They will not understand me”

“It is easier to not attempt to explain myself”

“People appear so shallow in relationship, why risk exposing deep heart issues”

“I don’t think I can trust people like I did in the ‘foreign’ culture I learned to love”

“No one takes time to listen, why should I?”

Sometimes home cultures do not seem to represent the depth of relationships we were used to.  Re-building relationships back home is harder than it might appear.

A changed or broadened worldview is no excuse to alienate ourselves.

PROBLEM: this is anti-integration, the exact opposite to relationship building. 

SOLUTION: re-discover a healthy dose of curiosity, in everything and everyone.

2. Condemnation – the tendency to view everything wrong with our home culture, to compare it to the culture we just left…and get judgmental.

We feel ‘under-welcomed’ back home.

We speak down at the ‘rich.’

We preach against individualism, or apathy, or every evil imaginable.

Little things like the weather or sports allegiances become issues of debate and contention.

Our cynicism pushes others away, making relationships strained.

Our condemnation leads us to a sense of entitlement…we become a special case.

PROBLEM: pretty obvious isn’t it?

SOLUTION: re-envision potential for transformation in everything and everyone.

3. Become an expert – the tendency to lord our knowledge and experience over others.

We may be seasoned travelers or have lived abroad, but this does not necessarily make us cultural geniuses.

We throw out memorized stats on politics and history when no one asks.

We use butchered phrases to draw attention to our amazing linguistic skill.

With every hamburger or plate of spaghetti comes a story on how amazingly flavorful or unique food used to be.

We often dress in clothing from the country we left, snubbing our nose at local fashion.

PROBLEM: Inherent arrogance. Inability to listen.

SOLUTION: Wait patiently for appropriate moments to use your expertise and experience.

4. Denial of Reality – the tendency to relive past experience over and over again

We ask “who am I now?” What is my true identity?

We constantly attempt to recreate the past

We read and reread our personal journals

We take no delight in normal routines of life.

We feel guilty for forgetting names or allowing memories to fade.

PROBLEM: Inability to embrace reality. Depression is a real danger right around the corner

SOLUTION: We MUST champion the causes of injustice or oppression in the country we were graced to live.  Get the issues ‘on the radar’ of your friends and family. God gave you an experience for a reason. Use it – don’t waste it.

However, a good listening ear, thoughtful integration and patience go a long way to win back favor of old relationships and re-enter back after being away for a long season.

What dangers have you overcome through the process of homecoming re-entry?

Announcing New Blog Site-www.samdick.org

Thanks to all who faithfully follow this growing blog. This blog has changed URLs to www.samdick.org

I trust you will find the new format simpler to read. It has given us more control over design and layout. [Yes I did lose the massive oversized half head photo in the sidebar, sigh]. Not much changes, the comments and content will all come over for the ride.

Unfortunately you will need to update your bookmarks and email/comment subscriptions. Please do, I am looking forward to seeing you on the other side! My first blog will be: “Newbie Blogging Blunders.”

Please contact me if you have any issues with re-subscribing samd@mbmission.org.

Sincerely, Sam

A Touch of Gray

“Tell me your name?” Henry said looking intently at my name tag. “I am legally blind.”

“My name is Sam,” I replied.

“Sam who?” he asked loudly.

“Sam Dick,” I added.

“Ohhh Sam…….Dick,” he said slowly. “I pray for you regularly, keep it up.”

 

I couldn’t believe it, this dear man knew who I was and prayed for me. I had completely misread Henry’s blank stare. He turned out to be one sharp cookie, whose leading questions and wit blessed me the entire lunch hour. Henry and I were attending an annual luncheon for MB Mission’s long term missionary alumni. Together, he and his current wife had over 50 years of experience of church planting service in Europe and the West Indies.

Have you been amazed at the care and concern coming from those we call ‘senior citizens?

This seems to be a recurring common theme for my wife Heidi and myself. This past weekend’s worship gathering was no exception. Heidi is waiting for chemotherapy treatment. It begins June 9 and will extend over the next 5 months. Preparing for it is an emotional roller coaster at times; a bit like trying to see the shore from the middle of the ocean on a windy day (in a canoe). At times land appears but then it is gone again, hidden by the swells.

Don’t get me wrong we couldn’t do this without the consistent time and food and attention, from our friends and family.  Still – how can a few moments in the presence of a sage, so quickly put life into perspective?  Here’s what I think.

Somehow older people ‘get it.’

They understand how much talk is too much.

They know how to listen.

They know the exact moment to give you a squeeze.

They relate to your pain without divulging their own.

They look you in the eye able to say the word ‘cancer’ without fear.

They know the lingo associated with treatment.

They understand how to trust medical doctors unconditionally.

And how to wait for endless test results to return.

They know completely what it feels like to be reminded that life is fragile, a gift from God.

Most importantly, they tell you they are praying for you (often adding daily or throughout the night whenever they wake).

 

How can I thank them? They don’t seem to need it. Embodying encouragement is what they do, quite effortlessly. Nonetheless sages, this is my tribute to you!

Maybe you too are experiencing a season of life that crept up on you out of nowhere. It doesn’t have to be illness. Perhaps you are returning from a missionary post or have lost your job. You are in need of real encouragement. Don’t write anyone off based on the colour of their hair. In fact, look out for that touch of gray and strike up a conversation, chances are, they won’t disappoint.

Let me know if you have been blessed by someone who walked the path you’re walking now? How did they help?