Dwarves raiding your pantry, conflicts with elves and escaping rock giants are all a part of Bilbo Baggins’ adventures in the movie and book The Hobbit. While I don’t have literal giants trying to crush me I have cultural obstacles to face.

Watching Bilbo’s story unfold reminded me of my husband and my adventure in China and recent exploring of backpacking East Asia for the month of February. When Bilbo agrees to the quest he early on learns that he will have to give up comforts, such as having a handkerchief for his allergies to the horse. I can relate to Bilbo in that I too have given up many comforts living in China: (just naming a few) family, close friends, comfort food, a comfortable bed and clean shower water. Yes, comforts have been given up but like Bilbo I have grown. I am not the same person I was six months ago.

[box] Bilbo Baggins: And you promise that I will come back? Gandalf: No…and if you do, you will not be the same. Bilbo Baggins: Thats what I thought…[/box]

5 ways I have grown living in China:

 

1. My identity and reliance in Jesus

My relationship with Jesus is between me and Him.

2. Having compassion and understanding for expats

                   If we ever host international students I will show them how to navigate the grocery store. It’s a tricky place. Dried shrimp, what does one do with that?

3. A glimpse into the grander scheme of the world

                  When I meet a foreigner they usually recommend I visit their country. We have so much pride for our cultural identity.

4. How blessed I am to be an American

                  Asked by a foreigner while visiting Kuala Lumpur, “Why would you ever come here when your from a beautiful country like the United States?” I was floored. My travels makes me appreciate my freedom in speech, press and religion (and many other things).

5. Persevering through challenges, practicing thanksgiving

Living on foreign soil out of your comfort zone really lets you see how much you can handle. Being uncomfortable can bring the pessimistic gremlin to camp-out in your mind but with discipline that gremlin can be kicked-out by songs of thanksgiving from stating the simple joys you have in life.

 

The ‘Little Emperors’ are my orc in China

Similar to The Hobbit I have my own Orc’s to face. During this very movie, in celebration of my husband’s birthday, a Chinese man in the beginning of the movie was talking to the person next to him. I respectfully said “Shhhh….” Half way through the movie the same guy took a phone call during the movie; this blew my top. This inconsideration would never happen in  the United States. This is not the first time I have encountered a Chinese person thinking only about themselves. It’s amazing to see how our values systems are so different here. What would be considered unacceptably rude in America must be perfectly normal in China. A Chinese economist commented the reason this occurs in China is because they don’t have a moral foundation like our Judeo Christian values. [Learn more here from The New York Times about the ‘Little Emperor’ dilemma.] Part of adventures is facing challenges, and this is one of mine but like Bilbo Baggins I will be for the better.

[box] Gandalf: Home is now behind you. The world is ahead. [/box]

If you are an expat, how have you changed living in a foreign country?

If you’re not an expat, what would be an adventure for you and what is stopping you for going for it?