I can't imagine the adjustment that takes place when missionaries return from their missions. Those that serve a foreign mission are especially affected by the culture changes. The night Kate came home, we stayed up until 3:00 a.m. talking about her mission. She explained how it is so much more difficult coming home then going out.
Not only is there a dramatic culture adjustment, language adjustments, and missionary adjustments; but she is missing her native family, the Ni Vanuatu people that she has grown to love. The people of Vanuatu have been named "the friendliest people on earth". On the islands, you don't walk past a person without giving a heart-felt hello, or "storying" with them, even if you are a stranger. She has developed long lasting relationships with the Ni Vanuatu people. They have stolen her heart.
The were plenty of tears as she would open the refrigerator and see the abundance of food we had. The people of Vanuatu live off the land. Their crops are their food. Wasting food, or overabundance is not their way of life. These people may not have many materialistic possessions, but the love they show to strangers and those around make for a very happy people.
I hope someday, she will be able to go back to visit her families in Vanuatu. They have changed her forever, and have a special place in her heart.
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