It’s not like I had a problem! I had 12 different lip glosses in my purse. Glosses? Is that the correct plural for lip gloss? It is now. Twelve different lip glosses. But I needed them all! I’m not even a girl who wears much make-up. I often leave the house looking a little unkempt. But I just feel better when I have some yummy lip gloss on. Considering my past addiction before the embarrassing purse dumping, lip gloss counting intervention, I’ve been wondering what I’m going to miss the most on this trip. I’m talking strictly the things. Of course I’ll miss my friends and family the most. But what about the stuff we get used to that I’m leaving behind? What will make me the most uncomfortable not having?
I expect not to have hot water to shower with. I’ll miss washing my face with warm water twice a day. There won’t be many days where I can wear contact lenses. A blow dryer is certainly a luxury of the past. Remember that episode of Friends where Monica’s hair gets out of control from the humidity!? Yep, that’s going to be me! Filling my Nalgene bottle with water straight out of the tap will be out of the question. I will have toilets that don’t flush and/or don’t allow paper to be placed in them. I’ll have mosquito bites and dirty clothes. Air conditioning is going to be tough to come by. My magazine won’t show up once a month and a pedicure and massage after a long week are likely out of the question. The phrase ‘leaving your comfort zone’ is starting to sound like it will be both figurative and literal!
So what will replace all of that? Hugs from strangers and friends who quickly become family. Teaching and learning new things each day. A true sense of community and how to form it. Being a positive influence to many many children. Understanding through first hand experience how powerful and amazing the Holy Spirit is. Truly loving stranger after stranger. Learning about cultures and food from around the world.
People ask me what I’m going to be doing on this trip. The truth is I don’t know specifically. It will be different in each country. Human trafficking and orphan care are huge issues around the world. We will be showing God’s love in any way that we can. By building and repairing things, giving hugs and praying for people, and helping to improve health and conditions where we can.
So how many lip glosses do I need to bring to do all of that? None. But if one sneaks its way into my bag, I wouldn’t be too surprised 
