Halo Halo

Halo Halo. A mix. Immediately stepping into the Manila airport, wisps of Sri Lanka and tints of Hawaii seemed to swirl into this completely new environment to me. I’ve had some exposure to Filipino culture through my best friend, born in the Philippines. Over the last three days, a missionary perspective, a business mindset, and a tourist outlook have been stirred into my mix. And, yes, the American expectation has been sprinkled on top. Already, I’m creating my own experiential halo halo.

Enter a new environment and instantly the experience rushes through your own filters. Which means that the experience, ultimately, becomes about ‘you’. So far, this has been the case for me. How do I feel? How am I going to be involved? What is expected of me? How will I be treated? What will I get out of this?

Funny enough, as I sit in the quiet and try to make sense of everything, I realize that maybe my role here isn’t clearly defined. Maybe I’m not going to be productive every minute of the day. Maybe things like sitting and hearing someone’s story, taking a ride in a Jeepney, watching and respecting… this is the point. Already, this is the impression that’s being made on me. It’s more about the experience and the relationships than it is about ‘getting it done,’ perhaps this sounds obvious, or at least repetitive. Chances are, you’ve heard this idea before. But, to be here, in it, makes it real.

So, now I’m thinking… how can I serve? How can I make this not-so-much about me? It’s always going to be partly about me… I AM the one living this life. But, what if the focus on my life shifted? What if the perspective slanted? I’m still me, but I’m here. A mix... Halo Halo.