Big City Nights (and Days)

Monday, September 20^th we embarked on a wonderful journey to the land of civilization. And by civilization I mean Western malls, TGI Fridays, genuine smiles from strangers, Cinnabon, sentences constructed with please and thank you, and Pancake Houses that can sentence one to eternal damnation (in other words, they serve pork). Two hours in the sky, two and a half hours on a bus, and two cab rides later we find ourselves at the Mall of Asia in Manila. It was quite an amazing journey. The bus driver spoke English. The cab driver spoke English. The merchants in the mall spoke English. We managed three consecutive days without struggling in language.

Our evening started off with the sheer thrill of ordering salmon for $7.50 and a rack of ribs for less than $10.00. Oh, the joys of a delicious American meal for a not so outrageous price. In SEA one typically pays the piper for American dining. Chatting after dinner, with appetites satisfied and frugal minds pleased, a disturbing realization interrupted our bliss. Turns out we were mistaken on the exchange rate. My salmon was $17.00, and Brian's rack of ribs was over $20.00. With our salary differential that would be equivalent to us spending $200 on a meal in America. So much for not so outrageous:).

If there were a heaven on earth, it would be the Krispy Kreme located in the Mall of Asia. We stood outside the Krispy Kreme momentarily admiring the logo and marveling at the sweet aroma of sugary fried dough. Upon entering the tantalizing delicatessen we discovered the most delectable cruller ever to be created...the Hot & Now Double Chocolate Cake doughnut. As the rich fudge icing oozed over the hot, delightful chocolate confection, I'm quite certain I heard a choir of Angels singing as we deposited that tasty morsel into our mouths. Yep, if there were a heaven on earth we had surely found it.

If there were a Hell on earth, it could quite possibly be found in the streets of downtown Manila. Driving on narrow roads through mountainous terrain, passing vehicles around sharp curves with no shoulder in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia at one time seemed rather intense. No more. The fast paced, crowded highways of Manila proved to be more risky than the untamed rural areas of the third world countries we had traveled. Our lives flashed before our eyes several dozen times in the short ten minute ride to the mall. Yellow and white lines marking the lanes were mere artwork painted on asphalt for no other purpose than to pay someone for doing something with their time. These lines by no means kept the various vehicles on the road in an organized fashion. Cars, buses, and Jeepneys forced their way through imaginary lanes. Horns resounded haphazardly as if some drunken maestro amused himself by directing a symphony of out-of-tuned instruments. It was alarming on many levels.

Putting aside the dangerous roadways, the incredibly loud noise, and the staggering pollution, Manila was a much needed break from the norm. HyperMart was amazing. It was like Wal Mart, but the people were friendly. The Mall of Asia was clean, kid friendly, and had logical escalators. The food was insanely American! And the company was heart-warming. We were able to spend time with friends who spoke English, understood our culture stress, and made us laugh. It wasn't the good ole US of A, but it was the closest we've experienced since being in SEA. And we are most grateful:).  

The Village People

This past month has been intriguing. Our typically talkative friends who enjoy teasing and laughing have been publicly somber. Our conversations have been serious and straight forward, void of light-hearted jabs and scattered snickers. For this past month, most of our local friends have observed Ramadan.

During the month of Ramadan Muslims are required to abstain from satisfying their most basic needs and cravings between sunrise and sunset. Therefore, they do not eat, drink, smoke, or gratify any other personal desires during daylight hours. In addition, many refrain from public display of animation and mischief. It can be a rather solemn time.

Questions have arisen as a result of this time of fasting. They've inquired, "Do you fast?" and "What is it like for you?" We've been able to explain that as Christians we are not "required” to fast, although it is a healthy practice. The purpose of Christian fasting should be to take our eyes off the things of this world and focus our thoughts on God, deepening our relationship with Him. In addition, our fasting differs in that we do not fast publicly. Instead, our fasting should be obvious only to God. It has initiated some interesting conversations for sure.

These conversations have been a catapult for learning. Not only concerning local culture and religion, but concerning our own culture, religion, and values. In asking questions of others, we've had to ask these same questions of self. Doing so has required us to examine whether our actions mirror what we say we believe. Needless to say, there has been a lot of soul searching in the process.

To mark the culmination of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the festival of Hari Raya Puasa. The time of fasting ends when the new moon is sighted on the evening of the last day of Ramadan. Then the festivities begin! The celebration of Hari Raya lasts a full month. However, it is the first three days that involve traveling to villages, multiple open houses, family fellowship, and more food than one can imagine!

In the past three days we've visited eight houses, seven villages, four towns, and countless people. Throughout this experience, we were humbled at the hospitality and generosity extended to us. God has blessed us with some amazing friends in SEA. In many aspects the celebration has been quite a surreal experience. It is hard to believe that a year ago we were visiting friends in air conditioned homes, sitting at dinner tables, and eating with china and silverware (And napkins! Oh, for a meal with napkins!). Today we visit homes “cooled” by open windows and doors, sit on floors or couches with plates in our laps, eat with our hands or tin spoons, and long for those small, quilted squares that absorb grease and prevent the crumbs from finding residence in ones clothes.

Nestled on the floor, we enjoyed the company of local friends and delicious traditional fare. We smiled to ourselves as many of the villagers would sneak by and peak through the doorways of our friends' homes. Our friends laughed aloud at the gawkers. We all understood that for many of these folks it was the first time they had seen an American up close. And a white person had never walked the paths of their village before. At least not in their lifetime. We were cheap entertainment. And we didn't mind at all.

Ramadan and Hari Raya have been instruments to further enlighten our family's understanding of the people we've come to love. They have also been instruments to deepen our own faith. Our local friends have been taught that to question one's beliefs is unacceptable. However, if one doesn't know why they believe what they believe, how can one completely and firmly take hold of their faith and defend that faith when it is tested. And it will be tested. As we endeavor to embrace the life we have been given in a land far away, may we stand strong during times of testing. 

So Tell Me What You Want

“So tell me what you want, what you really really want...” The Spice Girl's bubblegum pop lyrics spill out of our five year old's lips as he dances through the house enjoying the mid nineties hip hop single. We have the movie “Chicken Little” to thank for this. “Ra Ra-ah-ah-ah, Roma Roma-ma...” echoes in the car as Jackson performs his latest rendition of Lady Gaga's hit single. We have the loud sound systems in every local mall to thank for this one. And most recently we find our son singing, “Hey soul sister ain't that mister mister on the radio, stereo...” I have to admit, this one is our fault. We don't have a CD player in our vehicle, and often we resort to listening to the only English radio station available on our stereo dial.

While it can be entertaining at times, the fact that our pre-schooler can belt out many of the Billboard's Top Hits is not exactly what we had in mind when we thought of expanding Jackson's horizons by moving overseas. However, Jackson has indeed broadened his outlook on life. He has ascertained things he could have never learned in a classroom or through reading a book. He has grown in ways we will probably never fully comprehend as a result of our relocation to Southeast Asia.

Jackson has discovered first hand how very fortunate he is to have been blessed with a solid roof over his head. He's walked through villages where homes are built from scrap wood and tin. He's sat on floors that were rotten and threatened to collapse from too much weight (not Jackson's of course). He's walked through doorways void of doors and peered out windows deprived of window panes. Jackson has a new perspective on poverty.

Jackson has recognized the provision of food during mealtime. He has witnessed the hungry as they walked into a restaurant, sat down at a table, and partook of left-over scraps that have yet to be cleared away from the previous customers. He has observed a man digging through the dumpster in search of something to fill his empty stomach. He has been present in a village when a man walked into his home with two small fish to feed a family of nine. Jackson has a new understanding of hunger.

Jackson can determine the difference between want and need. We have the luxury of eating fast food, going to the movies, and purchasing candy, gum, and other frivolous items. We have the ability to delight in Birthday parties trimmed with streamers, balloons, fancy cake, and presents. And we have the privilege of decorating during the Holidays, baking unnecessary treats, and buying and receiving gifts at Christmas. While in the States Jackson did not personally know anyone who could NOT do these things. Now he does. Jackson knows he is NOT in need.

Jackson has discovered the nuances and fascinations of an Asian culture, a new language, foreign foods, and even sacrificial living. He's visited six countries. And he has done so by jet, taxi boat, prop plane, ferry, speed boat, and a variety of unusual transportation modes within these countries. Jackson has developed an appreciation for travel, adventure, and uncovering once unknown lands (at least unknown to us). He has also had to begin developing patience, tolerance, endurance, courage, respect, and self denial. These are tough lessons for persons of any age.

Then there is that acquired knowledge that may or may not prove helpful in his later years. Like what it means to have a contingency plan. And how to hide in an inconspicuous place and not make a sound if mommy and daddy give the word. And how to remain calm when his parents bust out the window frame and climb down the rope ladder. I'm not sure what this has taught him. However, he does find it intriguing. And he often equates these things to the life of a spy. Let's hope this appeal does not motivate him to change his occupational goal from NASA to espionage.

Finally, Jackson has discovered what it means to live by faith. He trusts that we are supposed to be here even though he'd rather be in America. He has an amazing assurance that we will be cared for, comforted, directed, and empowered. He prays fervently for our local friends. And he prays for those he does not know because he has heard or seen something that moved his tender heart. He has volunteered to give up his Happy Meal toys to children who play with marbles on the sidewalk because it is the only “toy” or “game” they own. And he often shows a strong curiosity regarding living a life pleasing to God.

Of course, there are all those other times when he has no regard for anyone or anything that doesn't bring him immediate and complete satisfaction. But don't we all struggle with this one:).

All in all, Jackson has determined to endure the challenges of life on the far side and, as a result, become a better person for it. To answer the question, “So tell me what you want, what you really really want...” “I wanna I wanna I wanna” make the most of the time that we have here and help Jackson do the same. It is what we are meant to do. And I want to do it well.