Dear future missionary,
So, you’re about to embark on your big journey around the world! Maybe you’re going to one country, maybe you’re going to eleven. Either way, it’s a big deal! Get pumped because you’re gonna come back a changed person. As some would say, you will come back looking more like yourself than you ever have before.
I’ve been home from my 11 month journey now for 6 days and I’ve had a lot of time to think. Here are some things I’ve learned in the process that may be helpful to you.
- Take videos over photos. When I look back on the race, the videos stand out to me and make me smile the most because they hold so much personality and character and can capture a moment more than one photo can. Honestly, I wish I would’ve done personal video updates telling myself how I felt throughout the Race because I bet that would’ve been cool to look back on and see growth.
- Try all the foods. People say street food will make you sick. I got sick once out of all 11 months of world race and I loooove street food. Don’t sweat it, just use your common sense!!! Plus, if you get sick, it makes for a cool story so who cares anyway?! Parasites are easy to cure anyway. (I had one in Rwanda, it was truly fine just lost a few pounds that week)
- Things from home aren’t that cool. There will be times when you miss things from home [check out the things I miss blog I wrote month 9]. Trust me, they’re NOT THAT COOL when you actually get home. Sure, my memory foam bed is pretty nice, but I would trade it for my sleeping pad in a heartbeat if that meant going back out on the mission field. We always want what we can’t have and the enemy uses that to draw us away from being present where we are. Do your best to fight that temptation to check out because I’m telling you from experience, home will still be there when you get back and what you’re doing out in the world is wayyy cooler.
- Read your Bible. One of my favorite months was when we were in Ethiopia in the middle of nowhere and I had so much time to read my Bible. I remember going through Romans and really figuring out my beliefs for myself and taking everything back to the gospel and learning so much from it!!! Get in the Word and ask questions, it totally changes you!
- Write a poem. Especially when you’re going through a hard time and don’t really know how to pray. This helped me so so so much on the Race. Here is a poem I wrote when my teammate got sent home and I was really sad about it.
- Learn from the people around you. This is one of the few times in your life that you’ll be surrounded by 24/7 community probably until you’re married. Take advantage of it! Give feedback and ask for feedback because it’ll grow you and prepare you for things that you can’t even see right now. I experienced the most growth on the race because my teammates stepped out in obedience and gave me feedback that was hard to hear, but so helpful in the long run!! Also, you can learn something from every person on your team…even the person that triggers you. Ask the Lord to reveal it to you, you’ll see!
- Try something new in your quiet times. A missions trip is such a safe place to step out and worship in new ways! Go on a prayer walk, dance in the fields, sit in silence, do a listening prayer, pray a big prayer, write a poem, do Bible art, idk!!! Just do something you wouldn’t normally do because the Lord will show up in some sweet ways!!!
- “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.” [Matthew 7:7] ^^^That’s a promise right there!
- He equips the called. It’s true. Maybe you feel unprepared right now, but I promise, Paul wasn’t kidding when he says that God will equip you [2 Corinthians 9:8]. If you had it all together, you wouldn’t need God anyway. Don’t overthink it, you truly have everything you need with the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of you, and God will bring up those fruits at the exact time you need! Heck, I hated children before the Race, and now I find myself gravitating towards them. It’s truly a miracle!
- You can buy basically everything overseas. Shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, clothes etc. Even makeup! Unless you have some special brand of face wash or something, don’t worry about bringing a ton of toiletries. Yes, they still use shampoo in the middle of nowhere Africa.
- HAVE FUN!!!! Live your life! Enjoy each moment and don’t worry about the future! Over and over again, I’ve seen God take care of me in ways I can’t even comprehend. He’s reminded me over and over that I don’t have to worry about tomorrow because He will provide. You’re only guaranteed today, so walk in today and enjoy what He’s given you today! Embrace the pure joy of the simple gospel.
That’s all I have for you. 10 simple steps to thrive!!
But for real, wherever you’re headed and for however long, I’m excited for you!!! God is gonna grow you and teach you and mold you. All you have to do is receive with open hands!
Peace & Blessings with much love,
Mikayla
P.S. I just want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone who has been reading my blogs this last year. It means so much to me that y’all have followed my journey. You guys made this trip possible and kept me going even when I didn’t have the strength!!! Please, if you ever want to hear more in person, even if we’ve never talked before, feel free to reach out!! I’m on Instagram (mikayla_hartel) and Facebook (Mikayla Hartel).
Also, if you’re wondering what I’m doing now that I’m back in the US….in a few weeks, I’ll be moving to Lynchburg, Virginia and attending Liberty University to get my masters in Christian Ministry! My ultimate dream is to get back out on the mission field, but the Lord has led me here as a next step and I’m so excited!!!
If you feel led to give money to support me in this next journey, you can Venmo me @Mikayla-Hartel or message me for my home address to send a check! I’ve very suddenly had to jump back into the real world and real expenses and school loans and apartment rent…so any bit counts.
I guess this is goodbye for now!! I’ve really enjoyed blogging so who knows, maybe I’ll start a new blog when I get to Lynchburg. More on that to come later. Peace out folks, it’s been a great year!!!!
