Hakuna Matata

 

Shameless pictures up top and not bottom. 

Hakuna matata means, ‘no worries’, and if you’ve seen Lion King, youve heard Swahili and this phrase. Funny thing is, no Kenyan says it. If you hear it, you know someone is a tourist. Well, we just got back from our first real vacation , and when we arrived at the ocean hotel, Hakuna Matata was the first thing we heard. I cried. Then I cried some more. 

‘Hakuna shida’ is what is said, which means no problem. I had to train my head to learn this, along with a million other things I had to and have to and still am learning. Learning and living in a world where everywhere you go is cross cultural thinking is exhausting. Even your home is set up, run, and lived in such a way that it’s not “my normal”. Yes, it’s slowly getting more and more natural, and for that I’m grateful. Your brain never gets a break, we’re even woken up by the call to prayer in Borana. 

Being greeted by Hakuna Matata meant I could turn off my brain. I didn’t have to think what culturally correct greeting I needed, if my clothes and hair were culturally appropriate, if my kids would greet appropriately, and what my response would be to the next person who called me ‘mzungu’ (white person). I didn’t have to make sure the prices were correct and I didn’t have to talk my way down from the foreigner price. I got to say Hakuna Matata and not be overpriced for it. Kenya is a place a lot of people come for vacation, breaks, recovery. 

This is just a tiny glimpse into the brain’s over-functioning while living in a cross-cultural world. I didn’t even process through the spiritual implications, the fact that you live your job, the emotional missing of being able to vacation with or to family or friends, or that you are one of the 2 wazungu in your whole town.  

To those who love and support missionaries: Hakuna Matata is what you can now say to missionaries as they prepare to go on vacation. When you see their beach pictures, pray for deep rest and healing, remind them and ask them when their last real actual brain break was. Give a financial gift to them for their next tourist spot visitation. Pray for them to feel confident in sharing that they are taking care of themselves so that they can not just love their own family well, (I actually had fun playing with my kids in the pool, like real deep laughter. It’s been a while.) but on the countless families they minister to everyday in their “home” in a cross cultural way and setting. We are so grateful for your support and encouragement.

To missionaries: I know for me, the guilt was real, until I heard Hakuna Matata and couldn’t stop crying. I hope it doesn’t get to tears next time and I can better advocate for me and my family to rest well. I pray the same for you. I hope all ya’ll  are taking care of your hearts and minds as you live in a world that is not your own on so many different levels. You are loved. 

All of these thoughts coming from someone who has those thoughts in passing of ‘why do are they using those funds raised to go on vacation, I’ll never do that’.