Well, I am home and my official time on the mission field has come to a conclusion. I didn’t expect to be writing those words for about 2 more months. The end of the trip was abrupt. One day everything was normal, and then we were on our way to the airport trying to beat border closures due to Corona Virus. I am now home in the United States, and it has been so good to see my family again! It has been a somewhat weird and confusing time, but I know God has a plan and that it may not make sense until a ways down the road. Right now I am focusing on what I’ve learned over the last 7 months and I am currently figuring out how to bring new habits and norms home with me in Washington.
I was in the missions field for just over 6.5 months and spent 3 months in Guatemala, 3 months in Ethiopia, and about 3 weeks in Thailand. I have done and seen so much, from cutting grass with a scythe, to playing soccer with kids, teaching English,eating some of the strangest foods ever (including grilled scorpion), to just walking, praying, and serving the communities where I lived. I learned so much from serving others, and by experiencing and living in other cultures and countries. Here are a few of my biggest takeaways from the last 7 months.
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God’s plan is sometimes different than mine but it is always better!
This one seems straight forward, but this last year has really hammered this point home for me. I can’t count the number of times in the past 7 months that my plans have failed to work out but God’s plan and outcome was always better even when it wasn’t what I expected. I am a pretty big planner, I like to have details figured out ahead of time and the last 7 months involved a lot of letting go of my plans and expectations and embracing new plans that changed frequently. Now that I am home I hope to be able to continue to be more adaptable and open to schedule changes and unexpected occurrences.
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Different people and cultures experience God and faith in different ways.
Every place I went had different cultural norms and along with that come different faith norms. Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Thailand all looked completely different from a faith standpoint but, they were all equally cool, valid, and effective. People’s understanding of God is so tied to their understanding of the world around them. This is equally true of different cultures living in the U.S. I hope to continue to be more open minded about the ways others experience religion, the world, and life in general.
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God can use anyone for anything.
God wants to partner with us to do amazing things. Oftentimes the things God asks us to do or places that He asks us to serve are not within our comfort zones. In the last 6.5 months God has changed my perception of who He is and He has busted out of the box I know I tend to and think others often put him in. God wants our yes and He will help take care of the rest. I have found this to be true in Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Thailand. I know the same holds true in the U.S. and anywhere I go. I am excited to continue to allow God to use me here in ways big and small even when it is outside of my comfort zone.
I am so very grateful to have had this opportunity, to have been able to meet and work alongside so many people, as well as for all the people I met, and for the new perspective I have gained. I want to say thanks so much for all of your prayers, thoughts and support. If you ever want more info or have any questions let me know and I’d love to connect! Thanks so much!
God bless,
Mason Ruark
