Hardest thing about returning home?
Probably being thrust into a culture where what we have is not enough. Nobody is satisfied. We want more. We want something else because it seems better. We aren’t grateful for what we don’t have. I just left 10 cultures that FIX their things over and over again because they can’t afford something new. Even when offered, they don’t take something new because what they have STILL works. They ADAPT to accomplish what they need to do, and they are successful.
Being around a culture where appearance is everything. The last 10 cultures focused on appearance, but not as strict as Americans do. I never worried about my body build or my weight because that was never judged by the people we were around. They focus on skin color and hair color (which I don’t worry about). Now being home, I feel the pressure of the world saying that I need to be a certain shape or size. It is a constant conversation in the house that I’m living in. And it’s stressful.
Rest is a hard thing to find here. It was so much easier stepping into rest on the mission field. But life is so busy here in the USA, and rest seems impossible to find. But that has become a necessity over the last 10 months, and it’s something that I have to fight for now that I’m back. Thankfully, I have accountability partner that is keeping me in line!
Food: food in America doesn’t like me. I’ve been so incredibly bloated since I arrived, and my energy has dropped. I’m trying to figure out what I can and can’t eat to keep the bloating down and keep my energy up. So far, dairy and starches (breads, pastas, etc) are out. Looks like a simple diet for Jess for the time being.
Biggest Takeaways from the trip:
I was really stubborn when I left–in so many ways. This trip was a good reality check for me, and I think it broke off a lot of that stubbornness in me. I’ve allowed myself to heal from past wounds, and it has given me a new perspective on life, people and the important things in life.
Gaining a new perspective on people again–CHOOSING to see people through God’s eyes. EMS has really hardened my heart towards people. But I’m learning to see the treasure in people; even the “worst” people have great treasure within them–it’s just buried under their muck, mistakes, pains, etc. We can judge people for their appearance, actions, etc; or we can be the person to find the treasure within them and call it out for others to see as well!
I am born to be loved by the Creator!
Being vulnerable with the people around me can cause breakthroughs in the things that are binding. God has called us into unity with Him and with each other. When we unite with each other IN HIM, we can overcome anything. We can be the strength for another’s weakness, and they can be our strength when we are weak. It was incredible to have a community that I could talk to, count on and have fun with. But it’s something that also needs to be fought for. It won’t be easy because the devil knows the amount of power that we have when we are united, and he will fight against us to keep us separated.
Favorite ministry of the trip:
I learned in month 1 that I really enjoy preaching. This was a common occurrence in each country, and it was one of my favorite ministries. My second favorite “ministry” was doing anything medical (shocking, I know). Draining abscesses, cleaning wounds with coconut milk, teaching medical skills/knowledge–no matter how I was used, it really filled me up and showed me that medicine is where I belong! Oh, and I was the official bug killer. If someone yelled my name, it was usually bug-related!!
