In less than twenty days, I will board my last three flights home. I haven’t been in the USA since October 2016.
I feel: anxious, excited, sad, full, expectant, angsty, grateful, eager, pensive, mas o menos…
Everything but tired. I feel rather awake. More woke than I’ve ever been and I’m ready to hit the ground running. Those who have gone before me have invited me to consider what I need from supportive friends and family, and to communicate that well. We are (generally) well-intentioned people, but none of us are mind-readers. I am so grateful for letters, texts, emails, phone calls, blogs, videos, and social media… but those are just small glimpses and snapshots of the past year. There is much we have missed in each others’ lives. And there is abundant grace to begin the process of trying to learn from each other.
So, this is my attempt to at least begin the conversation…
A. Ask me specific questions about my journey.
I welcome any question about the race. However, the more specific, the better. Questions help me to process the year, solidifying what I’ve learned and giving glory to God through testimony. Think outside the box…. challenge me… stump me. I’m eager and hungry for it. I don’t want to feed you easy or rehearsed answers. (I’m going to ask you the same!)
Here are some sample questions to get your wheels turning…
“Who are the people who impacted you the most?”
“What country did you experience the most spiritual warfare?”
“Which countries or types of ministries would you return to?”
“What lessons did you learn? What really challenged you?”
“What are some of your funny, obscure stories?”
“What regrets do you have? What would you do differently?”
“How did you process the painful stories and experiences of poverty?”
“Where did you feel the presence of God most strongly?”
“How can we challenge one another to live better?”
“Why should I support your ministry in the future?”
B. Support my convictions and help me stay accountable.
Two years ago, I began looking closely at the gospel accounts, the Sermon on the Mount, and Beatitudes. I started dreaming about living simply and intentionally within the context of my neighborhood and the world. I made some progress, but still looked much like the world around me. In these past few months specifically, the Lord has strengthened my faith to live out radical dependence and friendship with the Holy Spirit. This means that I cannot return to the numbing comforts of my old self. I have written out some general convictions to share with you. I ask that you partner with me in encouraging me to stay true to the gospel.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12
Here are just a few of those convictions (ask me about the others too):
1. Do not purchase clothing for fashion purposes. Reduce your wardrobe and wear what you already have, making simple/economical/buyer conscience adjustments as items are worn out or need replacement.
2. Eat simply (unless a time of hospitality or celebration). Do not eat alone, if you have the option to eat with another. Suggest making food or coffee together, rather than going out to spend money. If you do go out to eat and someone asks for food, eagerly invite him/her to join you. Treat others with generosity and extravagance. Share your food — practice shalom. Fast regularly. Exercise regularly.
3. Daily prayer and reading, growing in spiritual disciplines
4. Discipleship and mentorship (giving & receiving)
5. Pursue holiness and purity through careful consumption of entertainment (avoid movies, shows, and music that cause stumbling)
6. Creation care through more walking and ride-sharing
7. Create a payment plan to significantly reduce debts owed to student loans and credit cards — the goal to be freed from financial enslavement
C. Consider making a small financial donation to help assist with re-entry costs.
As I transition home, I will be discerning opportunities for good work. Many of you know that pre-race, I was a teacher in the public school system. I am praying about how to use all of my gifts and passions to glorify the Father. I have dreams of beginning a community house, working with children and refugee families, creating art and music, gardening, holistic care through counseling and pastoring… I am praying about combining all of these. When I move home, I hope to spend several hours a day seeking vocation through prayer, discipleship, and ministry… availing myself to the Spirit’s leading (researching, networking, and traveling will be apart of this). I will return to the states in late August. I have two meet ups in September (already paid for) and an organized road trip in October (visiting community houses and ministries across the States). The cost of living in the States (especially without a job) is high and my personal savings are nearly expired from my year on the mission field. Student loan payments begin again in September. I ask that you consider making a small donation to my “Generosity” page (a much better company than Go Fund Me), which will help with the costs of living and making good on my financial obligations, as I seek the Lord in what is next. Please join my Facebook page, where I will update all of my supporters regularly through blogs and video updates about where the Lord leads me. I am praying about beginning steady, more consistent work at the end of this year or early next year. As you follow my journey, you will see God’s plans unfold. Relocation to the inner-city is something I’m earnestly praying about. Please pray for encouragement, and stewardship of time and resources.
I think we will start there.
I look forward to the (wild) journey of reconnecting and sharing our stories of this past year.
The fullest measure of grace to each of us!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
