As a missionary, you have to get used to calling different places home. I have had the privilege of calling four different countries home, and am excited for the last two countries. Being emersed into different countries has taught me a lot about living overseas, several of them things that I will miss once back home in the States. Things from the people, food, customs, or just helpful tips about overseas. With being on the field for six months, I wanted to share a couple of things that I have learned from living overseas as a missionary.
Markets are huge around the world!! Fresh produce, spices and herbs, live chickens, smelly fish, just about anything, you can find at the markets. Each country I have been in has had the most beautiful markets and I definitely wish there were more back home.
People are very hospitable and kind, especially when they find out you are American. It has been a pro and a con, but every people group that I have encountered have shown so much love and will give you their last fruit or anything they have on them.
They are a variety of different ways people greet each other. There is the arm hold, the kissing cheeks, touching foreheads, firm handshakes, etc.
You may have to get used to toilets that are a cement hole in the ground or squatty potties.
Stock up or enjoy your favorite food while you can. You may not be able to find tomatillos or hot Cheetos overseas, so eat them or find some substitutions! I have not been able to find any spicy chips that I like since Guatemala. You get pretty creative trying to recreate your favorite foods overseas.
Be prepared to walk everywhere. I am not sure if that is just because we are missionaries, so we don’t have cars but walking is the main mode of transportation. That or public transportation, but usually walking from place to place is how we get around.
Things are pretty cheap, so far, when compared to the American dollar. It has been nice to buy fresh fruit that is not $7.
Whenever you eat at restuarants, the ticket is not brought out to you right away. It was shocking and honestly a learning moment to not pay and leave a restuarant right away, but to enjoy the company and the moment.
There are still regular things you can find in the States. H&M, McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Starbucks.
Your body will get mad at you when you surprise it with food from other countries. Be prepared for nasty things to come up (or down) because of the new foods you will try, BUT try them!!!
People are very interested in America and if it like the movies! But, reminding them that life with Jesus is the dream is the end goal!!!
In Turkey, once you are done with your tea, you place your spoon on top of your cup to signal you are done or else they will continue to serve you ore.
In Albania, we were advised to not finish all our plates or drinks, or they will continue to serve us.
When someone hears us speaking English, they get very excited to talk to us. It builds a lot of conversations.
As long as you pick up some conversational words, “Hello, What is your name, How are you, Goodbye,” people are willing to talk. But Google Translate is your friend.
Lots of stray dogs and cats! Resist the temptation to pet them.
In Romania, your shoes determine a lot. So if you want to talk or reach people, get some shoes other than tennis shoes.
Guatemalans wear their traditional clothing of huipil and corte. It is so colorful and beautiful to see their authentic wear.
In some countries, there is no dryer. So clothes lines are your new dryers.
Showers are different. You may have to mop up the bathroom because there is no doors, or curtain, or drainage.
The architecture of the buildings are so authentic and carry so much history.
Working out outdoors is sometimes weird for locals. People may think you are crazy if you are jogging outside.
For Christmas, Romanians like their roasted pigs. So, you may spot a couple being cooked or smell it in the air.
It is not illegal to pitch a tent anywhere in Albania.
There are no rules for driving. Also, most people do not care about road conditions, they will fly through the bumps and holes. Also, stuffing people into a car is common, or riding in the back of a truck is not illegal.
People are willing to cancel their whole day just to spend more time with others. In certain places, people are not task-oriented, but instead people-oriented.
In Albania and Turkey, people say no by making this clicking noise and raising their chin sorta.
After living overseas, you will definitely want to either A) Move overseas permanently because the United States is missing so many things you have experienced and grown to love and cherish or B) Incorporate into your life in the United States. There have been so many experiences, nuggets of wisdom, and growth that have come with being on the field for 6 months. There is definitely more things than this list that I have learned from my time, but just wanted to give some quick takeaways. These are all things that I have grown to take in while I am here before going back home. Home looks a little different for now, but I have been loving life on the missions field.
all these fun facts are the small but big things that have made the last six months interesting & fun. And I do intend to bring many of these back with me. love YOU & miss YOU sister !!
WOW! This is so informative and so beautiful. It’s like a walk through memory lane and also allows me to remember the small sweet things about the cultures that we have been in. It’s so incredible and so special to read this. Thank you for compiling this because there are special nuggets of truth in here to reference forever! Love you!