On Saturday my team and I arrived in Atlanta Georgia where we began our two day debrief. This was a created space to begin processing our trip and learning how to engage back into the US culture. It has been said that culture shock is harder returning to the US than it is leaving, and I have found this to be true. Many things seem strange returning here, and more foreign than African culture did. I recognize that I have a chance to create new habits and a new beginning here in the US. My family came to pick me up on Monday morning and we promptly headed to Chick-fil-A for some much-needed heaven for my taste buds. Yum yum. Better than I remember. Seeing that all my dogs were still alive was an added benefit along with all the comforts of home, although I was naturally resistant to these as we tend to do when returning from harsh environments. One of my very good friends, Grayson, came over for dinner and we spent time telling stories of our past months, where God took us, and where He is taking us. We began brainstorming for summer opportunities to serve God in our local communities. As I am clearly on a dedicated ministry high currently (the feeling you get after mission trips), and Grayson said he wanted to “ride my ministry high wave” as we went around town meeting leaders of organizations in Montgomery the next day. I don’t believe my fresh perspective on the world is something to contain as I try to adjust back home, but let it be my driving force to come back as I different person than who I left as. It is okay to break through expectations others have of you, and to give them grace when you have different characteristics as in the past.
As always, I notice so many different things about home than I did in the past. Grace is the most crucial thing I most focus on in my time of readjusting. It is not fair to others if I criticize others for the way they live their life when they have no understanding of what I have experienced over the past three months. When I lived in a community where people’s complaints were lack of food, shelter, and lack of finances, our complaints about the temperature of coffee, slow Wi-Fi, and traffic while in cool cars, it would be very easy to become harsh. Grace to all in love and understanding. I have two options: lose in my struggle to give others grace for the little things that bother them or use my perspective to become an influence of gratitude, thanksgiving, and initiating worship to God for all He has given us stewardship of. I want to steward my time, energy, and focus well to maximize the change the last 3-months manifested in my heart. Only through God’s Spirit am I to do that well. God be with me. If you think to pray for me in the coming weeks, that is what I request you pray for me.
Africa was the hardest and most rewarding 3-months of my life, and I am anticipating God’s command for me to go again. I miss it very dearly, and my teammates, but I am prepared to be where my feet are here in the States. There is just as much work to be done here. I will continue posting updates now that I have stable Wi-Fi and my journey continues from Africa to America and beyond. Thank you to all who have prayed for me, supported me financially, and taken the time to read these updates.
I pray steadfast love would be born in our hearts and the motive of our actions.
