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28/10/2006 Reflections from a 'Displaced Person' |
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I’m now back in Vientiane after being in 5 airports, 6 provinces (of 2 countries) in the space of 2 weeks. So I’m feeling a little like a ‘displaced person’ – mentally, socially, and physically.
When I arrived back in Vientiane I went straight to work then straight to a meeting – all of which left me a little confused as to whether I was really ‘home’ and where/what ‘home’ was? On a plane? Busy working (wherever that may be)? Vientiane? Australia? Well, for now, home is Vientiane, Laos. And don’t get me wrong, I’m really enjoying life here – it’s just that life working in international development is also very hectic and sometimes that brings about a sense of feeling ‘displaced’ – one way or another. I can only imagine what it’s like to really be a displaced person (refugee), and I’m thankful for all the blessing and opportunity I have in my life. I’m also thankful that the one big constant in my life keeps everything else in perspective and makes it all both meaningful and also enjoyable – that being God’s presence and guidance. Actually, I was talking with a friend about my feeling ‘displaced’ and I also realised in a sense I’m displaced spiritually too. I’ve been feeling homesick for an earth made new where there is no sin and where God is with us. But not so homesick for Australia. I certainly do miss all my friends and family there, and also the country and culture, but not to the point of wishing I wasn’t here in Laos.
To and fro … and fro and to
 I must have been in this plane 3 x in 2 weeks
And where to next? I haven’t got any definite travel plans for the next few weeks, although probably will make trips to two different provinces during November for work. And some time (yet to be determined) in December and/or February I’ll head back to Australia. I’m waiting to hear on my thesis examination before finalising my plans.
What about the workshop in Chiang Mai?
When I last wrote it was on my arrival in Chiang Mai. So I guess it’s appropriate to give a little report on the workshop. It was organised and funded by the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP) with a few other partners including the Unit for Social and Environmental Research from Chiang Mai University who hosted the workshop. There were about 40 participants from around the world – an even spread across all continents. I hadn’t met anyone there before, but had read papers from three or four of the facilitators.
The best part, as with most conferences and workshops, was the networking and interaction with new people and ideas – especially since everyone there was grappling with similar general issues (i.e. institutional dimensions of environmental problems/change) to those I was grappling with during my PhD research. Some of the workshop presentations were very interesting, and some also informative. My time at the workshop was well spent for me to have a chance to try to put together a picture of how I could relate my research learnings to the work I’m currently doing in international development.
A memorable birthday
My last full day in Chiang Mai happened to be my birthday, and also a Sabbath. It proved to be a very full and rewarding Sabbath & birthday. It started with the opening ceremony for a new church building at Sansai SDA church. There were a lot of visitors, so a great way to meet lots of people. In the afternoon I went with the Mission President to visit a Hmong mountain village.
In the evening I was able to catch up with a lot of friends and family on the phone and (mainly) skype. My former church youth group in Sydney actually planned to get together on that night to skype me – how nice!! And then I was also able to catch up with my old high school friends who also on that night had our 10 year high school reunion. So I was able to ‘be there’ for a little while via skype to one of their mobile phones. And then finally a small group of us from the workshop went out for dinner – which they shouted since it was my birthday! I even had ‘happy birthday’ sung to me in Spanish by the latino contingent.
When I got back to work for my brief stay at the office on Monday morning they’d arranged a cake for me. So I certainly have no reason to feel forgotten – quite the opposite – indeed I feel quite unworthy of all the attention. I’m also reminded how terrible I am at remembering people’s birthdays. So thank you indeed, and till next I get the chance to write, God bless!
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