New favorite quote,

I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant. -Martin Luther King Jr.

I have been in the states for a short time. To be honest, I was hesitant and having a hard time thinking of going to the U.S. just because the last time I was back, I struggled through a bit of culture shock.  I also knew that this time we were going to have some tough discussions with family though was looking forward to Jenna’s wedding (Melissa’s sister)! Upon arriving in Minnesota/Wisconsin I found it was easier then last time.  Yeah!  I flew into Chicago and then Melissa and I met up with the Brown’s.  You may remember their story from our blog last October.  They were in Jacmel when they were robbed and the wife was shot.  Anyway, we met with them in Chicago for breakfast and just love how down to earth this couple is about everything! After that we went to do what ever person does when immediately returning from a third world country… we went camping :-D

Next we went to Minnesota and spent time with some family and friends.  Had to stop at a McDonalds for a hamburger! We are so privileged and humbled to have such great friends and church family.  Our ECC church was so welcoming.  We did manage to do some pumpkin carving and have a couple other hamburgers

It’s hard to describe the “culture shock” experience of going from a 3rd world country to a 1st world country.  I try hard not to be critical of either but instead try to learn from each culture.  Someone described it to me as just a fact:

You are going from the “poorest” nation on the earth to one of the “richest” nations on the earth.

Duh!  Of course, we are going to experience some emotions and differences! My experiences with reverse culture shock so far remind me of Anthropology and how, as a discipline, it seeks to understand a people or a group from the margin. It seems true that when you find some distance from something, you come to see it in a different light. I think one benefit of long-term travel is that you learn to put a critical lens back upon your own culture and country. Why do we do things that way? Why do we think that is the best way to live?

Below are some pictures from the wedding…