Coming home is going to be different for me than for most World Racers, there’s only 7 days left here but I won’t even be back in the States 24 hours before heading off to my brother’s wedding in Australia. Upon return I’ll have about 32 hours home before I head out to evangelize on the Camino, and then I fly back in only to go straight to project Search Light. My actual return date is about a month from now on July 28th.
Yes, I’ve done reentry before. But this time is going to be different. I’ve had a lot of life changing experiences and I’ve been living in community non stop for the last 11-12 months. I’ve surrendered to Jesus in ways I haven’t before and He has done a lot of transforming in my life, and changed the way I live. I’ve gotten used to hopping from culture to culture every 20- something days, wearing the same clothes week to week, and living on 5 dollars a day for food.
So here are 7 things YOU can do to help me with reentry. I’ve adapted this blog from my good friend Erica Everett who recently wrote a really good blog about this.
- Welcome me home! Greet me with a sign at the airport give me a big hug when you see me and tell me how much you’ve missed me! I’ve missed you and I’ve been anticipating reuniting with my friends and family and community since I left!
- Ask specific questions. Don’t be afraid to ask about my year, but try to ask more specific questions than “How was your trip?” It’s hard and overwhelming to try and summarize a whole year’s experience in one sentence or with one vague question. Ask questions like “What was a highlight of your time in South Africa?”, “What were some of the biggest lessons that God taught you?”, “Did you have a favorite ministry?” Specific questions will help me share my experiences with you in more depth.
- I want to hear about your life. Lots has changed and happened for me since I left home. I’m sure there have been some changes in your life too over the past year. Tell me what has gone on and how you’ve changed and grown. How has the Lord been working in you? I truly care about your life back in the States and want to know more than just the surface level of “my life is same old, same old.” Share with me fun stories about your holidays or an event your recently went to or what challenges you’ve had to overcome.
- Invite me. I’m an extreme extrovert at heart and although I’ll want plenty of downtime (seeing as it will be the first time I’ve been truly alone in almost an entire year), I have been out of my social circle for almost a year. I’ve been able to keep up to an extent, but there is a lot that I haven’t been able to catch up with. Invite me to things because more than likely I want to be a part of it. Even if you don’t know if I can make it, invite me. Reach out to me and include me in your community. Community was very important on the race and I will be missing it upon return. And if I say “no” once or twice or even three times, don’t give up. I’ll be taking it day by day upon return.
- Encourage the change you see. The World Race gave me an environment to self reflect and dig deep into my past and change my perception to look more like Christ. You may notice that I handle situations in a different manner than I did before the Race. When you see a good difference or a good change in behavior, say something! Let me know how I’ve grown and that you’ve noticed. Often times it’s hard to see how one has changed, so vocalize it! It’ll mean a lot to me. On the same note, give me grace. I may be hard on myself that I’m not as patient or gracious to those around me the way I was on the Race, because of being back in the environment as before I left. Remind me not to beat myself up for it and encourage the good you do see.
- Don’t put pressure on my future plans. I am currently looking into long term missions and praying about what the Lord wants me to do. He’s always given me crystal clear answers and I know that in His time I’ll have my answers again, but it took a lot of time and growing in patience to get to a point where I’m fully trusting the Lord. Many Racers are entering a season of rest and a time of processing the year, which in the American society may be perceived as laziness. It’s not. Don’t be afraid to ask about my future plans and don’t be afraid to share different opportunities with me. My plans for the future may be very different than what I told you before the Race and know that it’s not a bad thing. Even if it doesn’t make worldly sense or isn’t what society tells me what should be next, be loving and supportive in what the Lord has revealed so far for my after-Race plans.
- Lastly, give me grace. I will do my best to reintegrate into American culture, but reverse culture shock is real. I’ve been going through a transformative process serving the Lord in 11 countries surrounded by 5+ people all the time. It’s going to be hard for me. I’m going to need the time and space to mourn and a lot of grace. Know that I’ll give you grace too. Unless you’ve been on the race, there are some things you may not understand about me or my experience. It’s really okay, and I’ll do my best to let you in on it and forgive you if you can’t wrap your mind around it.
