Zachary Daniel Balog
My two-year mission in the Canary Islands was the strangest, most eye-opening experience of my young adult life. What was this culture? What was my religion? Why did people sleep all afternoon and kiss each other constantly? Where did I fit in this world?
Years later in graduate school while I sat in class to discuss Spanish works like Lazarillo de Tormes and Don Quijote I kept thinking back to my mission and its bizarreness. American culture colliding with Spanish culture, walking around town talking to strangers about Jesus, it was weird. I ruminated on my mission story and how it might make a worthwhile book. Missionaries in my mind were a mix of the characters from these works, a metaphorical picaresque rogue bouncing from master to master or a wannabe nobleman in lands unknown peddling an alternate reality acquired from books.
Once I started writing, I realized there were lessons to be learned and hoped someone might benefit from it or enjoy reading about it. Furthermore, I believed that if my kids were to read it years later, they’d discover something about their father’s spiritual journey. Perhaps when they become curious about religion, or asked if God exists, they might read daddy’s book and find their way or be inspired.
Ultimately, I just enjoyed writing it. Completing the writing process and publishing it left me sad. I wanted to keep writing and continue the process because writing was fun. It still is. I guess I still have more gas in the tank for another book.
Years later in graduate school while I sat in class to discuss Spanish works like Lazarillo de Tormes and Don Quijote I kept thinking back to my mission and its bizarreness. American culture colliding with Spanish culture, walking around town talking to strangers about Jesus, it was weird. I ruminated on my mission story and how it might make a worthwhile book. Missionaries in my mind were a mix of the characters from these works, a metaphorical picaresque rogue bouncing from master to master or a wannabe nobleman in lands unknown peddling an alternate reality acquired from books.
Once I started writing, I realized there were lessons to be learned and hoped someone might benefit from it or enjoy reading about it. Furthermore, I believed that if my kids were to read it years later, they’d discover something about their father’s spiritual journey. Perhaps when they become curious about religion, or asked if God exists, they might read daddy’s book and find their way or be inspired.
Ultimately, I just enjoyed writing it. Completing the writing process and publishing it left me sad. I wanted to keep writing and continue the process because writing was fun. It still is. I guess I still have more gas in the tank for another book.
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