So it’s almost over!
Your son/daughter/brother/sister/cousin/best friend/etc will be coming home after eleven months of traveling the world.
They have experienced different cultures, lived in nonstop community, and have been pushed and stretched in more ways than one.
The odds of them being the same as they were when they left are slim.
The things that have become the everyday norm for them will be turned upside down and their lives will drastically change once again.
Here are a few things that you might notice or experience when we get off the field:
1. Acute Case of Bipolar- We, for the most part, are excited to come home. We are excited to see you, spend time with you, catch up with you, and all that jazz. However, we just spent every minute of the last year with a group of people that are now scattered all over the states and the world. We might go from being really happy to sad. Or something might happen that reminds us of something from month 2 and our heart longs for someone who was there. This does not mean we are any less happy to be with you! We might need some time to acclimate ourselves to where we are now at. Odds are we spent the first few months talking non-stop about you. There are 38 strangers out there that have heard intimate details about your life for the past 11 months, it’s your turn to hear about theirs! Let us talk about them (even if we have told you the same story 100 times already).
2. “Are you going to finish that?”- Food! We have had more conversations about food than is normal. Depending on the month we have had to cook for ourselves, had every meal prepared for us, or have become regulars at the same street vendor because it’s the only way to stay in budget. But no matter what the situation is it seems that a plate is never left with food on it. There has also been a lack of table manors or etiquette required at our meals. Eating with your hands is completely acceptable at all meals and the use of napkins is optional. I am not saying that we are going to eat off your plate, but don’t be surprised if we do.
3. New Vocabulary- For those not on the race there are many words we use regularly that you may not know or have an alternate meaning. This list includes, but is not limited to:
Feedback- Information we share with you out of love so that you can grow to better yourself/be more Christ like
Clean- An article of clothing that has been worn several times but still does not smell bad. Also, using a spoon to get out peanut butter and then licking all the peanut butter off – the spoon does not need to be washed (because it is clean.)
Smart- Well dressed, looking good
Expensive- Pretty much anything more than $5
There are more that will come up in conversation, feel free to ask what the heck we’re talking about!
4. Wardrobe- You know the bag we left with and aside from the few things we picked up along the way we have had the same few shirts and couple pairs of shorts. We could go one of two ways on this subject 1. You may notice an outfit being warn multiple times in a row or in the same week – this is not weird, it’s what we’re used to [Refer to definition of Clean above]. ~OR~ 2. We will not repeat the same outfit as long as possible, maybe even changing clothes throughout the day [because we can].
5. Tendencies- People around the world do different things in conversation or to show respect. For example the Y from Asia, palms placed together and a slight bow, or in Africa “Mmmmmmmm” or raising your eyebrows are all socially acceptable responses in conversations. You’ll get used to it.
6. View on Distance- The length of travel days have been anything from a few hours to a few days. This has changed the way that we see distance. Traveling 10-18 hours in one day is not outrageous, it’s what we are used to. Now add in the fact that there are FREE PUBLIC restrooms and it sounds like cake!
7. Common Phrases- We have spent too much time with a group of other people and have adopted some of the things they say into our own daily conversations. It is something that we probably won’t even really notice that we’re doing until you look at us funny. Some to keep an eye out for would be adding “Ka” at the end of sentences/words, “Noooooo” said in a high pitch kind of voice that clearly means we are lying, “Same same but different” or the shorter “same same” with the rest implied is somewhat self explanatory although used in situations that you think may not make sense, and many many more.
8. Habits- Each of our months have looked very different but some habits have become ingrained in us. Having quiet time or dates with Jesus have happened on the daily. It’s something that many of us might need encouragement to continue to do once we get home. If we have someplace to be and it’s 5 miles away, you may need to be remind us that it would take a lot less time to drive than to walk there. At the end of the month we may get our packs out, some habits are just hard to break.
9. Personal Space- It no longer exists. We have lived in small rooms with more people than there should be. This also normally means that there is typically only one bathroom. Leaving the door unlocked so others can use the toilet while you’re in the shower is expected. Also, we have had to squish way more than 5 people into a 5 passenger car. *The record stands at 15 people in a Honda Pilot, I know we were kind of impressed ourselves*
10. Feedback- (as defined above) There are two types of feedback Positive and Growth. Sharing either type of feedback is a great way to show someone you love them. Feedback started as a structured time on the daily but has morphed into a way of life and we have become comfortable giving feedback in the moment. It is such a great tool to strength relationships with open communication. If we give you feedback the proper response to any feedback is “thank you”. Learn it, live it, love it.
11. Change- It is inevitable. We have led such a different life than the one we expected. We have broken down walls and deepened our roots. We have been pushed, pulled, tested, and tried. We have been put in situations and given time to think and form opinions on things we had never been given the chance to before.
We may not have loved every minute of it but we love where it got us. For most of us we have realized that although the race has come to an end, this is really just the beginning.
