"Living cross-culturally taught me the power of presence. Sometimes I didn't have a full arsenal of words at my disposal -- and this was actually a gift at times."
What does it take to survive and thrive abroad? In this "Words to Wanderers" series, expats and TCKs share their experience and advice. Today, writer and editor Jenny Marcelene shares her story.
Please introduce yourself! Who are you, what do you do, and what’s one thing you’re loving in your life right now?
My name is Jenny Marcelene. I’m a freelance writer and editor. I primarily focus on writing for kids and families. I’m also an aspiring children’s author–my agent is shopping around my chapter book manuscript to publishers.
One thing I’m loving about life right now is seeing more birds from my office window. It’s been a delight to see red-shouldered hawks land on a tree or a Cooper’s hawk soaring in the sky. Some of these birds have left the higher elevations and settled in the foothills where we live for the winter. And I absolutely love catching glimpses of God’s creativity in these airborne creatures!
Tell us about your experience living internationally. Where were you born? Where have you lived? And what brought you to where you are now?
I was born in the state of Colorado in the United States of America. I’ve lived abroad in
Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates. These days my family and I reside in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. We relocated here for my husband’s job and because we wanted to raise our kids out West (in the U.S.A.). Both my husband and I grew up in the West and felt a tug to return to our roots.
You spent several years in conservative Muslim countries. What was a significant cultural difference to adjust to? And what was something you enjoyed about your life in those countries?
The biggest cultural difference to adjust to was ascertaining how to maintain some level
of independence as a woman. Culturally in Afghanistan, women shouldn’t be seen
outside of the home without an escort – a spouse, son, small group of friends. It took
creativity and planning to find ways to live everyday life. I had to rely on a wider network of people to do everyday things like buy groceries, get across town for work, spend time with local friends, etc.
I loved drinking tea with women in their homes! Hospitality was woven into the fabric of daily lives. Every day after lunch, but before dinner preparations, was open for visiting anyone’s home–no prior arrangement necessary! I could pop into a friend’s house for tea, snacks, and catching up. This natural rhythm of open-ended hospitality is something I have missed since returning to the U.S.A. I would often visit five friends a week, but on different days of the week. It provided easy connection points with my local friends that was low stress for her and me.
You are a freelance writer and editor. Tell us more about your writing life! What drew you to start writing? How has your time abroad influenced your work as a writer?
The Bible is one big story and the most beautiful narrative ever written. The complexity
and beauty of the Bible is astounding. One large story with numerous small stories that follow the same pattern and maintain the same themes! The Bible is a masterpiece!
God chose to reveal Himself to us through story.
I think all people are wired to appreciate stories – from getting lost in the world of fiction to ongoing movie series like Marvel. And I certainly felt this pull toward storytelling myself.
Even as a child, I recognized I could communicate well through written words. Over the years, how this took shape varied. But I would always return to writing. It brought joy to my heart and was a way to worship the Lord.
My years overseas deeply impacted my worldview and continues to influence my writing
life. Living in a different culture changes you in ways you can’t fully imagine. Your worldview is expanded. You catch glimpses of God’s greatness in fresh ways. Your heart grows to love more people and places. You cultivate eyes to see your own culture in a new light. More colors are added to your worldview palette – colors that don’t disappear even when you return to your home culture.
A big focus in my writing is to point to God’s greatness around the globe. This focus is a result of my years living cross-culturally.
How has living abroad or traveling impacted your spiritual journey?
Living abroad and traveling has increased my understanding of God’s greatness. Each
culture and country uniquely showcases different aspects of God’s character. From generous hospitality to vibrant colors, from a deep respect for God’s holiness to a unique blend of spices to create an amazing dish, you truly get to taste and see God’s goodness in unprecedented ways.
When you have to learn to speak a new language, it’s humbling. Sounding like a toddler when you’re an adult isn’t exactly the highlight of your day. But God provided the right people in the right seasons of my language learning to connect with me where I was. It wasn’t overnight success, but a long, arduous journey. But God’s faithfulness was evident every step along the way. And this same truth holds for every season of our lives. We never walk alone. We can place our hope in God and trust Him every step along the path we walk.
What is something you’ve learned about yourself through your travels/life abroad? Has your worldview changed?
Two key lessons come to mind from my years abroad.
First, I learned to not be fearful of different belief systems, but to engage with them (even if that made me uncomfortable!) and ask questions. While every culture uniquely shows aspects of God’s character, every culture still needs gospel transformation.
When I interact with others from different belief systems, I can shine the light of the gospel. By listening, loving, asking good questions, and weaving myself into the lives of others, I can find ways we align and build toward regularly sharing how we don’t.
Second, living cross-culturally taught me the power of presence. Sometimes I didn’t have a full arsenal of words at my disposal–and this was actually a gift at times.
When a friend held the traditional remembrance meal one year after the death of her father, she asked me to attend. I learned so much about her life, heart, and what grief and friendship looked like in another culture. My relationship with that friend deepened because I showed up.
During my afternoon tea visits, a widow shared her sorrows about being passed around her family. Her family was poor and none of her children could afford to feed, clothe, and maintain her medical needs year-round. So her kids shared the financial burden by taking turns housing her. I listened to her pain and prayed together with her. My presence and listening ear communicated care.
Sitting on a dirt floor inside of a tent made of canvas, cardboard, and rice bags, an elderly woman who was once nomadic and forced to resettle by the government offered me unpasteurized yogurt from her goat. She asked if I’d remember her when I left the country. As I held her trembling, wrinkled hands, I met her milky white eyes and whispered, “I won’t forget you.”
Through a rhythm of consistent afternoon tea visits, listening to women’s stories, and praying with women, I could communicate that God saw these beautiful women and loved them deeply. But the primary way I could do this was through being present.
Relationships aren’t a bullseye for sharing the gospel, but a conduit to live out the gospel in the lives of those God has graciously allowed us to walk alongside. We speak truth, but we must earn that right through loving others well. We don’t know where someone is on their path to God, but we can faithfully point them to Jesus as the Holy Spirit leads us.
How would you encourage other expats and global nomads? Or, what advice would you give them?
Listen, listen, listen! We have so much to learn and observe when we step foot in a new country or culture! We get the privilege of hearing the stories of others and glimpsing a part of the world our Creator made.
Where can we find out more about you? (Optional – feel free to share your IG handle, newsletter, etc.)
You can connect with me online by swinging by my blog, on IG or by joining my quarterly newsletter.
Thank you for sharing with us, Jenny!
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