To Expect:
to look forward to or anticipate the occurrence of something; to consider probable or certain
To be honest, I am not one to normally have many
expectations but then I took on the suggestion to write a blog about my
expectations for the up-coming trip and I came up with quite a few…at least for
me. So here I am sharing some
expectations-things that I’m very certain will happen and things that I
anticipate and am looking forward to happening.
1.) I
definitely expect to cry. I’m not one that cries all the time and
do not tend to cry in front of others.
I have a feeling that I will be crying more than normal though. How could I not?
2.) Without a
doubt my heart will hurt a lot. A phrase that I have heard over the
years comes to mind-and this is my paraphrase because I can’t remember it
exactly: I pray that my heart
would break with the same things that break the heart of God. I don’t mean that in a cliché way
or to be trifle. I do want to have
God’s heart and that means it will be broken and painful.
3.) I would
have to admit that I’m not really looking forward to this one but I know that
it will happen-I will struggle with
some difficult questions-questions that I will have and
questions that others will have.
It will be difficult to not have an answer to give.
4.) I am truly
believing that this trip will give me more clarity
and direction for the future.
5.) A deeper dependence and trust in God.
6.) Love for the cultures and delighting in them! I remember the first time I traveled to
Bangladesh and India. EVERYTHING
was so different and fascinating!
Every day I saw something new and different and I enjoyed learning about
their cultures. I love how each
culture is unique…
7.)
Unfortunately I know that there will be some challenges
and with that there will be some frustration. I wish that it would be all happy and
easy but then again there would be no growth and no reality in that. I know that there will be cultural
differences that will hit me wrong when I’m tired, not speaking the language will
be isolating at times and a nuisance at other times. ( I do hope to pick up some phrases though!)
8.) I will have
to “let go” of things. I will be living out of a bag and
carry-on for about 5 months. I
can’t take much with me! I will
admit that I do thoroughly enjoy living a simpler lifestyle.
9.) I am
totally expecting that at the end I will be better
equipped with more knowledge and experience. Even better, it will be personal. I will have a more personal
understanding with faces and names.
It will no longer be book knowledge or information gleaned from
conferences.
10.) I know
that I will feel inadequate at
many points of the trip.
11.) Exposure-exposure to the heinous crime
of human trafficking and also to characteristics in my own heart and
life-pride, judgment, apathy, etc.
Then there are the Random Expectations-I do love randomness!
1.)
Delicious
Food!-Can I hear a cheer for Indian food and Thai food! Yum-o!
2.)
Laughter!-laughter
is so good for the soul and it is the common language for all cultures and all
walks of life!
3.) Deep relationships
4.)
Adventures!-what
is life without adventures?
5.)
Jet lag-ummm…suggestions
on how to deal QUICKLY and EFFECTIVELY with jet lag are very much
appreciated! Seriously!
So, there are my expectations as of now…It is going to be
good….
