One week.
In one week I will be back on American soil, and not just for a 5 hour layover, but for good. I will be home. I wish I could tell you all exactly how I’m feeling about this adventure coming to an end and a new one beginning. But only someone who has had the privilege of knowing and loving people all over the world for the past 9 months will understand the things going on in my head and my heart. I am nervous, excited, unsure, ready, overwhelmed, joyful. You may think that with all the comforts I am coming back to, life will suddenly become easier, and in some ways it will, but reentry will also be hard. So instead of leaving you to wonder how you can be an encouragement to me, here are some things I will need from you.
1. Time. Please don’t think that just because I don’t hang out with you the first week I’m home, that you are not important to me. I’ll need a little time to readjust and see everyone I’ve missed for the past 9 months.
2. Questions Questions Questions. The question “How was your trip!?” is incredibly difficult to answer because I am not just coming home from a trip; a trip is something you take to your grandmas house. This is 9 months of my life we are talking about! So ask me lots of questions, the more specific the better. Ask me about someone I met in The Philippines, the most beautiful thing I saw in Africa, what God taught me in Nicaragua. Ask me the weirdest thing I ate, what my favorite ministry was, about living in community. You can ask me anything, I want to tell you the good, the bad, and everything in between, so don’t be scared. I am thrilled to at least try and tell you the things I have seen, learned, done. This is a journey I want to share, it would be a disservice to keep it to myself! I also want to hear about your last 9 months just as much as you want to hear about mine; I don’t want to miss out on the adventures you have had and the things God has taught you either. I can’t wait to talk and laugh and just do life with you.
3. Grace. I am not the same girl I was when I left. 9 months around the world will change a person and you will see those changes in me. Some big, some small. And I am unsure how those changes will effect me when I get home to a world that really hasn’t changed at all, so I will need your grace as I readjust. I’m also still human, I didn’t become holier than though by going on the World Race, so I don’t want to be treated that way. Also, I’m really sorry and please don’t be embarrassed by me if I start crying in the cereal isle of Kroger, all of those choices might just be a little overwhelming! (;
4. Feedback. “What the heck is feedback” you ask? Feedback is simply speaking life into people by calling them up, not out, in love; intentionally letting someone know the ways you see Jesus in them and calling them higher when they are not acting as the man or woman God has made them to be. On the Race we give feedback all. the. time. It’s second nature. You’d think I would be over it by now, but I have learned the beauty and wisdom of confrontation and correction. And I don’t wan’t growth to stop here. So if you have noticed growth or change in me, or anyone, call that stuff out! If you see me slipping back into my old self habits of pride, selfishness, etc. please have a conversation with me. Really. It may seem awkward, but its necessary and I want it. We have the power to speak life, so lets do it!
To all of you who have faithfully encouraged me as I embarked on this crazy, Spirit-led adventure… thank you. I could not have made it this far, one week from going home, without you. Thank you for your continual support; notes of encouragement; shared excitement, tears, laughs and everything in between; and your faithful prayers. Thank you for being there for me as I transition into this next season, whatever Abba has for me. I may have gone on The World Race for 9 months, but everyday of our lives we are running the same race together. Thank you for running by my side! See all you lovely humans in one week!
With so much love,
Lis
