I need to warn you: I am returning from a meaningful missions experience. I met some people who live a different life than me and I served those who have less than me. I did things I didn’t know I could and was stretched in ways I didn’t expect. But coming home will be hard. I will experience some guilt from opportunities to things I own.
When I first show up in my community I will be pretty torn and exhausted. I will notice things I didn’t see before. Not everyone has the luxurious American lifestyle. The people taught me solely depending on Christ, warm smiles, creativity, joy, and simplicity are the keys to life.
I am considering possibilities of what the next season looks like for me. I desire to have more awareness about loving people and using things. Because the opposite (use people, love things) doesn’t work! Eventually life will set back in and I don’t want this experience to fade. My goal is to not allow comfortability to set in and let materialistic things fill up my life.
I really want people to ask about my experience. There are millions of questions I could answer for hours! My hope is that people would realize this year was a big deal and life changing. One thing I ask is that you give me time and grace. Simple things will overwhelm me and take me back to things I experienced on the field. Ask me question and really listen. Talking about it will be good but will also take time to internally process.
Being on the World Race is drastically different from my other mission trips. Looking back some countries made ripple effects while others made tidal waves. It will take encouragement and support to develop life-changing waves. You can intentionally help me with processing, ginuenly caring, and asking questions along these lines.
Questions to ask after arriving back in the US:
What did God open your eyes to?
How did God change your view of the world?What did God teach you about Himself?
What was the hardest thing you did?
What was your favorite part of your host country?
What surprised you about the culture?
What was difficult?
What do you miss most about your host country?
Who was one person you will always remember?
How can I be praying for you and your host friends?
What did you miss most while you were gone?
What is God teaching you as you get back into your routine here?
How do you want to remember this experience going forward?
