What do I expect on this trip? hmm… that's kinda tough. Usually when I am trying to prepare myself for something, I think of the worst possible scenarios and prepare myself for those. That way I know I can handle anything lesser. I'm not sure if that will work for this trip. (Although, the other night after we watched "127 hours" my mom asked me, "You're not doing any mountain climbing on this trip are you?" "Well, I had talked about climbing Mount Everest…")
Anyway, here are some of the basic/physical expectations:
- I expect to lose weight (superficial I know but still makes me a little happy)
- I expect to get a tan, even if its just a little one
- I expect to get sick
- I expect to get bruised and sore and maybe even acquire a new scar or two
- I expect to be uncomfortable sometimes
- I expect to have some serious stomach issues
- I expect to stand out with my pasty skin, blue eyes, and strawberry blonde hair(especially in Africa)
- I expect to NOT like some of the food I will have to eat
- I also expect to find new foods I LOVE
- I expect to HATE my backpack and its contents at times
Here are some of the things I expect on the mental/spiritual level:
- I expect to get VERY homesick
- I expect to be broken and humbled
- I expect to go through periods of doubt and stress
- I expect to go toe-to-toe and face-to-face with demons
- I expect to see people healed: physically and emotionally
- I expect(want) to be changed
- I expect to find myself and my true purpose in life
- I expect to get very attached to my teammates and the people to whom we are ministering
- I expect trials like never before
- I expect to be tested, stretched, and strained
- I expect GOD
I think this list doesn't even begin to touch on what will really happen to, through, and around me, but it is a start. This trip will change everything. I do not want to be the same person when I return.
