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Kia ora kotou!
Back in the beautiful country I call home and loving it. But I feel like I still have so much to say about my journey, which was definitely one of the greatest educational experiences of my life. So I thought I'd share with you a few things I've learnt - or at least been reminded of - along the way:
I've learnt...
... the world is small. You could bump into a Kiwi friend in another country when neither of you knew you were even on the continent!
... the 6 degrees of separation theory is probably true.
... physical poverty does not equal spiritual poverty. In fact, they may be inversely related.
... when things are new and unfamiliar, it's natural to stick with those we know best, those from our own country or ethnicity. But does this make it right?
... we can speak the same language and still not understand each other.
... we can speak different languages and understand each other quite well. Cos some things surpass language barriers, like smiles, and prayer, and hugs, and kids.
... the world is hurting and broken... and, as Moped sing, we're in need of Someone greater than our own selves to bring healing.
... not all Americans drive cars to check their mail or live off fast food.
... as Christians, we are called to serve wherever we go. This may mean hanging out with an orphaned kid on the Kenyan coast, or sharing your leftover sushi with a homeless guy in Canada. Anytime, anyplace, 24/7 we're on duty.
... everyone could survive with just a pack full of essentials - provided they're willing to share with each other.
... those essentials should include waterless hand sanitizer, a laundry bag and a world map showing where New Zealand is.
... the Western church has a lot to learn from other churches, like the importance of sharing meals together or warmly welcoming newbies by getting them to introduce themselves in a service.
... a little of what it feels like to be excluded cos your skin's a different colour or you speak a different language.
... a lot of what it's like to feel accepted even though your skin's a different colour or you speak a different language.
... hospitality is one of the greatest gifts we can ever receive.
... almost no one will recognise a Kiwi accent for what it is - they may guess you're English, Australian, Jamaican, Irish, Scottish, Austrian, South African or from the American South, but rarely will they ever guess you're from NZ.
... God is universal, as my Korean friend Jinny put it, discovering this when she came to the US. We can worship him in English, Spanish, Swahili, French or Tahitian, in a door-less, window-less African church or beneath the majestic ceiling of Notre Dame, but He's still the same God who made us all.
... the world does not revolve around New Zealand. In fact, some people don't even know we exist. "No, it's not in Europe. It's in the Pacific, near Australia." "Oh, you're from Australia?"
... even though the world doesn't revolve around us, we are extremely blessed to live in this country. And we should never take for granted that we can drink water straight from the taps... teach about the Bible in schools... receive healthcare without worrying about how we're going to pay a bill for thousands of dollars... choose our faith - it's not dictated by our nationality... shower in hot water... shower... be bitten by mozzies without having to fear for our lives... get into university on three out of five partial subject passes... be free from obligatory military service... and nuclear free... be any colour of the rainbow and still considered a "Kiwi"... never be more than 2 hours from a beach... travel to Middle Eastern countries and not be hated for what our country's doing to them... and drive on sealed main roads - except for maybe the home stretch to Cape Reinga!
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