Navigating the bitter cold

Living in Northern Europe for the first time has been quite an adventure. Coming from California, the cold, long winters has been a HUGE difference. There is also a different kind of cold here in Holland, and that is a relational coldness. My experience here has been filled with many days of feeling like I am “in the way”. If you are on your bike and you are not going fast enough, they will let you know. If you are in the store and they need something, they will walk right in front of you without saying a word. If you need something and they are in front of what you need, they will not move and will give you a “stink eye” if you dash in front of them. There just doesn’t seem to be many social graces in the Dutch culture which leaves me on the verge of frustration on a daily basis.

The phrase, “not possible” is uttered on an hourly basis. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you need, it is probably “not possible”. My DVD player even utters these words when trying to use it, “niet mogelijk”.

I have heard that once a Dutch person has allowed you “in”, they are warm and welcoming, and I have experienced that with a select few. But for the most part, this country leaves me feeling pretty cold.

So, what am I to do? Sit around a mope. Ok, yes, I admit, I have done this. But most of the time I try to remind myself that I am here on a mission. A mission to bring a sense of real hospitality that is warm and welcoming. A brand of faith and life that gives life and freedom to all that desire it. To say to the culture, “there is more to life than being efficient and right”, there is the joy of being selfless, giving and gracious. Do not be bound by apathy and selfish intent, that can only lead to an empty lonely existence.

I hope and pray that my life here is not in vain, that a small dent can be made in those I rub up against, even if it is only those in the market or on the bike lane.