The challenge of going home

After
a long sojourn in the USA back in 2004, I returned home to a great and
unforgettable welcome from my family and friends.

I
was oblivious of the complicated challenges of a new life n the mission enterprise that awaited me. I soon began to
feel everything and almost everyone was different but not me. I knew absolutely
nothing of culture shock.

For
instance, I couldn’t drive on Lagos roads within the first week of my arrival.
I wondered why the roads weren’t marked and road users were so aggressive.

The
blaring of horns were driving me insane; the unstable electric power supply,  the noise of generators and the soot from
them, the dust, the heat, worsened by the high humidity of Lagos, the bad odors
here and there and many other issues seemed to make home a most unwelcoming place.

“This
can’t be what I’ve been missing!”

“How
can anyone survive this madness?”

“Is
something wrong with me?”

“Why
am I so moody?”

“Can’t
these people see this and that is wrong?”

As
Neal Pirolo put it in his wonderful Book – Serving As Senders, “He [the missionary]
returns. He is not prepared for the changes at home. He tries to cope. He
internalizes all his frustrations. Alienation whispers, “Nobody cares or
understands. Forget them!” He argues with himself, “No, I have to get
out and share a vision for the world among the church people.” “But
they are so ungodly,” Condemnation thunders. “This isn’t getting me
anywhere,” he yells back at himself. Reversion reasons, “Okay, let’s
just forget it. I was there. You were here. We’re back together. No big deal!“”

I
suffered serious traumatic stress disorders and didn’t know it. But those were
a kind of initiation into the often very confusing life of cross-cultural work;
which has led some to abandon their call, end relationships, depart from the
faith and even commit suicide.

Despite
the lavish reception my wife plans and executes each time I return from these
mission trips, I’m still harassed by a barrage of re-entry issues that leave my
emotions in tatters.

For
instance, I can’t understand why my weight loss should be a better subject for discussion. Maybe my frail looking physical appearance makes louder statements. 

I wonder why friends who rarely checked on my
family while I was away, suddenly arrive to hear my testimonies and stories?
Why should I spend 2hours in traffic, driving myself home from the airport?

Debriefing
with my mentors has been of immense help. We are looking forward to a team that
will co-own this thrust and shoulder our
plans, pains and progress with us.

May
Abba gift us a Home Support Team who would invest their experience, wisdom,
time and treasures to help with our re-entry challenges. It’s a serious affair.
I’m certain we’ll do better with such friend.

If you are interested, kindly post your comments and we’ll
connect with you.

May
Abba’s love, which we celebrate this season, renew your zeal for the lost in
this World He loves.

Merry
Christmas and a most fruitful 2012!

Author: Uche Izuora

I'm inspired by God’s passion for His name in every generation, which provokes global worship through Jesus Christ. Becoming an emotionally healthy and transformative disciple, I aim to mobilize the Church to engage in cross-cultural missions and raise other like-minded disciples who discover themselves in Christ and seek to present and represent Him as Savior and Lord among the nations northward of Uganda. View all posts by Uche Izuora