She’s beauty and she’s grace…
She’s not Miss United States…
But she’s on the World Race.
I have spent the past 10 months on this crazy journey with my squad. We have served the Lord in many different ways: sometimes we teach English, sometimes we move dirt. Like I said, beauty and grace.
As we prepare to return home in a little over a month, there are a few things you should know.
Things will be different.
For example, you may have to remind us that toilet paper can, in fact, be thrown in the toilet.
We will need at least a few weeks to return to normal use of the English language. You can expect us to use simple, repetitive words and phrases and occasionally look around for a nonexistent translator. Our grammar will probably be somewhat abysmal so forgive us if we ask you which form of “there” to use in a text. Please don’t be insulted if we speak very slowly to you- trust me, its not you, its us. And please still be our friends if we ask people if they speak English or if we cry upon walking into a store where everything is in English. Bottom line: we are not used to English.
Know that certain things will be overwhelming- even things that seem really simple or fun. If we don’t feel up to something, don’t be offended, we just need time.
Know that we are excited to tell you about our year but that there will be parts of our experience that we just can’t put into words. Try asking us specific questions or about specific months- it will help us organize our thoughts and be able to give you more information. And we don’t want to be the only ones talking, we want to hear about your year as well. You may think it is boring or nothing but trust me, we want to know what is going on in your life.
Know that we love our friends and family but there is something about sharing this experience with people that brings you together. Know that we have a special connection to our squadmates and at times, we will need them. We will need their help or simply just need to talk to them. I promise we aren’t trying to replace our people from home, there will just be times when we need to talk to someone who understands what we have experienced and can help us process what is happening. Also know that we have made so many incredible friendships with people all over the world and we are excited to tell you about them (and maybe introduce you on WhatsApp).
Know that we aren’t exactly sure what clothing normal people wear anymore so we may need a little help. I have never been very “fashion-forward” but I currently wear basketball shorts and tshirts every day so transitioning home will be interesting. We will probably be very overwhelmed by too many choices and may wear the same outfit for a few days in a row. We may also forget that we don’t have to wear an article of clothing until it smells- washing machines and dryers are much more readily available than we are used to.
Know that we are FAR from perfect. We did not leave and become perfect angels completely free from sin and temptation. We have all grown in different ways but we still struggle.
Know that we haven’t driven in 11 months- so maybe let us take a few laps around the block before you get in the car. Seatbelt a also aren’t really a thing in a lot of places so give us grace (I’m talking to all you police officers out there) and remind us to wear them. But really, do you think, “I’m sorry officer, I’ve been away for 11 months and forgot that cars have seatbelts” could get you out of a ticket?
On the topic of safety, know that we are very used to crossing streets through crazy traffic and walking along the sides of highway-esque roads. Help us remember that that isn’t normal at home.
Know that we will probably start to convert the prices at the store into USD and may ask you for the conversion rate. Feel free to play along and make up whatever you want or be kind and at least tell us 1:1.
Know that we may just start crying in a seemingly random or unexplainable situation. It might be because we remembered someone or something from the race… Or it’s because we just ate Whataburger, Chickfila, or Taco Bell for the first time in 11 months. Either way, don’t be alarmed and don’t worry- we’ll get over it and probably laugh at ourselves pretty quickly.
Know that we will probably refer to all forms of exercise as “Camino training.” Then we will remember that the Camino already happened and we will probably get sad and start crying (refer to my previous point).
Know that cooking has looked very different in many countries we have been to and that means that we might not know what to do with access to all our normal ingredients, spices, dishes, and appliances. Having a dishwasher might just be the greatest thing in the entire world when we get home.
Basically, we are going to be excited, confused, overwhelmed, overjoyed, happy, sad, and everything in between when we get home. Thank you in advance for dealing with us and loving us through all the emotions, inside jokes that make no sense, and ridiculous world race-isms that we bring home. Y’all are the real heroes!
