I can’t believe this journey of a lifetime is already over and I am at home. I am sitting here in a Starbucks trying to find the words to communicate how this past year has forever impacted my life in ways that I might not ever understand, and words just seem to fail me. So I guess I just will steal the idea from some fellow squad mates and share thoughts that I had each month.
Australia
– What the hecccck did I get myself into?
– I am definitely more introverted than I originally thought.
– Never overthink your age, you can develop a friendship with anybody.
– Be obedient to harvest the seeds the Lord has already planted.
– Hearing God’s voice is a thing.
Indonesia
– Getting sick at a kid’s circumcision party in a rural village is an honor and a disaster all at the same time.
– Martabak is my absolute favorite dessert on the field.
– God works through any outlet you give Him room to speak, even in a joined small group of Muslims & Christians.
– You might just play a role in a yogurt commercial.
Sri Lanka
– Inner healing is real, and you might need it more than you ever expected.
– Not all women are the same, and sometimes you meet ones that might just change your perspective completely.
– Your heart can be broken for a person you don’t even know.
– I actually like spice now, or is it just that I am forced to eat it?
– A guy named Ignasesus will be able to find you no matter where your location is.
India
– You might get fleas while staying in a village in India.
– How can these many people fit in one city?
– Wow God can surprise you by being light in one of the darkest cities in India. He shows you what it means to be part of an “ACTS” church.
– Laughter is the best coping mechanism.
Nepal
– Momo’s are the best thing since sliced bread.
– Waking up at 5:00 a.m. is worth it to spend time with JC.
– Why did no one ever tell me about cinnamon roll pancakes??
– Wait to tell your mom you went paragliding until after the fact.
Tibet
– Even if you are from Wyoming and you live in the mountains of NC you can still be affected by altitude sickness.
– Prayer is an effective ministry that can break strongholds.
– This scenery does not look like real life; it looks like it should be in a movie. God’s creation is BEAUTIFUL.
– Butter tea is a hard pass.
China
– You might get followed by the Chinese FBI
– Buuuut you might just get to have influence over government officials when you change perspectives.
– God can present a fellow believer under any pretenses even through a hip-hop class.
– Where has bubble tea been my whole life??
Kyrgyzstan
– Food tours are bomb.
– Who knew that a kingdom business would have the BEST coffee & food?
– Never doubt the power of listening power and how it leads you to exactly where you need to be. (s/o to the amazing team I met from California)
– What a huge blessing it is to pour into the next generation and lead them into closer intimacy with the Father.
Kazakhstan
– Be careful, you might just lose a shoe in an outhouse.
– The Lord will open up some amazing opportunities that will absolutely change your life. Such as getting to participate in an archeological dig, where you get the opportunity to excavate an 800-year body by yourself.
– You will deal with some really hard things, allow others to carry your burdens with you.
Azerbaijan/ Georgia
– Be careful when ordering pizza, you might just be arranging yourself into a marriage.
– Getting on a ferry can be difficult, the people around you will make it an adventure.
– I didn’t realize how much I missed my parents until I actually saw them! It was great to have them out on the field with me.
– Georgia is an absolutely beautiful country.
Turkey
– Starbucks may just become the hub where you are able to share the gospel to numerous people.
– Your Iranian family will make you the best tiramisu you have ever tasted.
– Man the physical really does effect both the spiritual & emotional, s/o to having a gym!
– You might just get to go to Troas, where the apostle Paul once walked.
France/Spain
– I might or might not have fallen in the Louvre.
– Community took on an entire new meaning when you are constantly traveling with a group of 20+ individuals from all over the world. What a beautiful thing it is to develop deep relationships with new people.
– Be confident in the person God has created you to be.
– I can do hard things- like walking 17 miles in crappy knock off tennie’s from China.
– I wouldn’t mind moving to a beautiful cottage in the South of Spain.
Morocco
– Meat skewers. One word. Yum.
– You might just meet some girls from South Africa that you have an epic dance party/ karaoke night with.
– Snake charmers are indeed a real thing.
– I spent the most amazing year with the most amazing people, and how do I say goodbye?
