So I have been home now for almost a month, how time has flied! I haven't done a whole lot since I have been home, just looking for a job and waiting for classes to start up again. I have also met with quite a few people to talk about my trip and life.
It has been interesting being home, and had quite a bit of culture shock the first week or so that I was home. My first hour back in the states in L.A. hit me hard and I cried in the terminal. I came home and instantly hated America and Americans, I just wanted to get back on a plane and fly 16 hours back to the Philippines. What I encountered in the states, I was not ready for. People were rude, I would smile at people and they would look away. I felt super awkward being home like people were staring at me like I was different. Driving was also very strange. Not having driven for 2 months will do something to you. I felt like a new student driver who had never driven before. It was weird! The thing that I have had the most difficulty with since I have been home though is being in church.Being home and at church on a Sunday has been hard if not that, just pain depressing. I have cried all three Sundays I have been home. I had fallen in love with a culture, church, and people who were passionate about God. Their worship told it all and I came home to a stagnant church that lacked passion and energy. The Holy Spirit rocked us so many times in the Philippines and I long for that same encounter here at home but I do not feel that the church is ready to be rocked because there is so much lacking.
It has been great to be home and see everyone, but I miss the Philippines and a life that is so simple where we are not consumed by materialism. I know God is moving and working here and am ready to be apart of what He has while I am here. Still, I cannot wait to see how much more He will use me in what He has called me to!
