In the past two months I have only been alone to use the restroom, and that doesn’t feel so alone when you have people asking you questions through the door. It’s odd that this would even bother me for my entire life has been full of people. At home I don’t normally drive to the next city alone, eat alone nor go to the mall alone. But since we’ve had the buddy rule all year, I’ve all of a sudden longed for alone time.
My team was recently asked by our contacts, John and Kelsey, to run a children’s program at their church retreat.
Along with Lauren, I jumped on the opportunity. Little did I know she and I would get to ride in separate vehicles and not see one another until after dinner. It felt so freeing spending time with John and Kelsey’s family alone. I felt like I was at home, especially in the car ride there. I didn’t realize until we reached the retreat center, “Kelsey, this is the first time in ten months I’ve been without my team.” Kelsey laughed at my excitement and placed me in a room with Tereza, one of my Czech friends from the worship team. With Tereza not in at, I could have easily gone to my room and took hours alone but for some reason I felt lonely. (smile) So, I ended up hanging out with Kelsey and the gang, having the time of my life.
Retreats are great. It’s good to get away from normal life for a moment and realize you just need other people.
In less than one month I won’t have feedbacks anymore, team prayer time, family meals, ministry, group discussions, unsolicited advice, inside jokes, people laughing loudly while I’m trying to sleep, people asking me to style their hair. Though I’m excited to go home, I must admit I’ll miss being with these people. The World Race wouldn’t have been as fun were I all alone.
