Expectations.
This topic seems impossible because I try to sit and consider and my brain simultaneously goes a mile a minute and comes to an abrupt halt.
So here are some thoughts but clearly not exhaustive. I apologize for the stream of consciousness. But I guess that's the true nature of blogging.
I expect to be tired and dehydrated often (but if you know me well you're thinking "what's new?").
I expect to occassionally be tired of being surrounded by people, especially in the beginning.
I expect in the beginning to be tired of someone else or everything else dictacting my schedule but me.
I expect to cry. I have a feeling this scene will occur in many a foriegn airport. Maybe that's a misguided expectation of international travel. Any seasoned travelers want to weigh in on the validity of that one?
I expect to be dirty. Most of the time.
I expect that I will be fighting with myself about my things getting dirty or ruined or stolen. But that's the part of the process I need. (There's some insight for you future team mates.)
I expect that I will miss my family and friends. Lord, thank you for skype.
I expect to have some great skype moments. and even some sad ones.
I expect that my mother will kill my plants.
I expect that I will have many moments where I think "What the heck am I doing here?" or even "Where am I?" and "How did I get here?"
I expect to have incredible stories of the generosity of friends, family, and strangers who gave me the privlege of going on this journey by their financial support.
I expect to see prayer in a whole new light knowing that so many are joining with me.
I expect for Jesus to show me how to love people that my stubborn American self would often prefer to take the easy way out on.
I expect to be sick every now and then. yikes.
I expect to have a lot of fun!
I expect to build some deep relationships.
I expect to ache for life at Windy Gap.
I expect to try some crazy food that I'd rather not identify, see some unforgettable views, experience new cultures.
I expect that I will walk away more impacted than any one that I thought I ever "ministered" to.
I expect to come back weirdly uncomfortable in America.
I expect to never be the same.
