PSA: The first month of life on the field is ridiculously draining.
The most common thing I hear when I tell people we had a debrief at the end of month one is: “What do you need a break from?? You just started!” You are so absolutely right when you say that. Our ministry has indeed just begun. But ministry is not necessarily what we need a break from. Ministry can be super rough, no doubt about it. But overall, most of us are still hype about ministry.
Debrief is a release from the stress of fundraising, living in close quarters, having a schedule, homesickness, being constantly surrounded by people, and a time for processing our purpose here. Debrief is a time to bring your attention back to the mission set before you. Debrief is a time to be refilled. Debrief is a time to grow close with those around you, intentionally.
For me, I used debrief for spiritual rejuvenation and growth. Thanks to a member of the hostel staff that we all got pretty close to, my faith grew deeper. He asked me very intentional questions about not only my faith but my overall life and why I believed the things I did (whether they be spiritual or not). It forced me to think deeper and unpack the “Christian Lingo” I used. I was asked to explain what I meant by saying “to know Christ” and that is something I’ve never been asked in the bible belt. It forced me to think deeper about what drives me and why I am driven by it. He was not a Christian, but he was merely interested in what we believed and why we believed it. He knew nothing about the bible and I got the opportunity to share some truth with him. It was honestly dope as heck. He was also dope as heck. Luv u Jackothy.
Coming back from debrief was actually very hard. Debrief felt very much like a vacation, because it was. Normally after a vacation, you return home to your family, bed, dog, and general comforts. But this time I returned back to my bunk bed covered in ants (per usual) in my room with 7 other girls and my house with 52 other human beings. My heart yearned to be back in the arms of my mom (while I hold my dog). I want my bed and my shower. I want my gym and my clothes. I want my normal life.
In team time last night, my team helped cure me without even trying. We didn’t have a leader and we have honestly never had a better or deeper team time. We shared truths of each other, we were vulnerable and open with each other. They made me feel more at home than I ever have been in that house. They showed me love, community, and relationships like I have yet to see. My team is also dope as heck. Luv u TKs (aka Team Bonding aka Como Se Dice “Keep Em Comin” aka We Hate Courtney aka That’s The Attitude aka Team Onion aka Warrior Princesses).
Thanks for reading! Send me some prayer requests or questions if you’re up for it. [email protected]
!Pura Vida Mae!
(also enjoy these pics from Jaco Beach)
a river we stopped at on the way, FULL of alligators
first sunset I’ve seen in Costa Rica
Mel and I by the pool
tried my hand at surfing on a board two times my height
Sav, Linds, and I at a surfing comp on Playa Hermosa
beautiful pic on the way to the graffiti mansion (there’s a monkey in this picture btw)
view from the lookout near the mansion
on top of the mansion
top of the mansion
5/8th of the TKs after lip syncing the Fresh Prince theme song
jackothy
