I’ve been home a little less than one month, and it’s given me some time to process the year and all that I’ve seen and experienced. The most common question I’ve gotten since I’ve been home is “How was your trip”. It’s been a question that leaves me speechless and unable to respond at times. I must admit, I’m still processing the entirety of the trip and I believe God has more to show me about my trip in the weeks and months that will come. I believe he will begin to open my eyes and reveal the things I missed and was unable to see in the current moments of my trip. It’s hard to put a whole year in to words and it’s hard to explain the things I’ve seen. Sometimes it doesn’t even feel real. It feels like a dream. Except these dreams were real and the things I experienced and saw changed me.
The Song “For Good” by wicked has been stuck in my mind the past few weeks. The lyrics are as it follows:
“I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you…
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good”
Right now these lyrics are so sentimental to me because I feel as though they speak right to my heart. Throughout the course of this year, I met so many people and I truly do believe that God brought them in my life for a reason so that I could learn and gain insight from them. Yes, I spent a year investing and pouring into others but if I’m being honest there were so many people I met along the way that did the same for me. I know I am who I am today because of the people I met on this journey and I truly can say that because I knew them I have been changed for the better.
I truly believe that due to the experiences I had and due to the people I have met on my journey I have been changed:
I’ve been changed by the children at the Care Centers in Swaziland who lived in poverty with holes in their clothing but always ran towards us with their smiling and giggling faces when we came to see them.Despite their poverty, they had so much joy.
I’ve been changed by the drunken man who followed us around while we did home visits with the church we were partnered with. He was so curious about us and wanted to know what we were doing. That day we got to pray with him and he even prayed to accept God in his heart.
I’ve been changed by the testimony of Henry our host in Myanmar who grew up as an orphan yet despite the adversities he faced in his life time he received two of the best gifts that changed his life: a relationship with God and an education. He now lives to bring that same hope to the orphans who live in his home.
I’ve been changed by the little girl in India who doesn’t get fed food by her father because she’s simply a girl. Her society deems men more important so the father didn’t want her. The only food she receives is from a non-profit after school program that gives children a glass of milk and a boiled egg. This is the sad reality for many girl children in India.
I’ve been changed by the little boy in Nepal who grew up in the cabin bars with his mother. His mother was desperate to give him a better life so she asked us to take him to a home that would take care of him. I’ll never forget the look in the mothers eyes as she handed us her son that day.
I’m changed by the slum children who fought each other while we told bible stories. The reality is that many of these children are forced to beg and if they don’t bring home a certain amount of money back home that evening they would be beaten.
I’m changed by the loving kindness my hosts showed us during our time in Costa Rica and how giving they were as people. It reminded me how the Lord freely gave to us on the cross and how he continues to give us that same Love every day of our lives.
I’m changed by the El Salvadoran boy that I met on his twelve birthday. He radiated so much joy and kindess. Later I learned that before this boy lived in this orphanage he was put in a crate to be sold on the black market for body parts. Organs can be sold for thousand of dollars and once someone bought you they could do whatever they wanted with you.
I’m changed by my friend Tony from Madagascar who prays for her family every day because they don’t know the love of Jesus. Despite language barriers we prayed together for her family.
I’m changed by the families who earn 1-2 dollars a day doing field works in hoping to provide for their families. This income lives a lot of families in poverty and unable to feed and care for their children.
I’m changed by the menu’s in Bangkok that sold men and women into a life of prostitution.
I’m changed by the joy I experienced in the African Church services we attended. I experienced the joy of worshiping the Lord even if I didn’t speak the same language. His presence is felt despite language barriers and it’s unexplainable to describe. It taught me that the Lord’s presence is with us wherever we go..
I’m changed by Rosanne who offered us so much hospitality when we had no place to stay in Singapore because everything was out of our budget.
I’ve been changed by the 65 Liter backback that I traveled around this past year. I became content with the few outfits I had. My bad held everything I needed it and reminded me that I didn’t need an entire closet. I learned to be content and thankful for what I had. I learned simplicity.
I’m changed by the women in Costa Rica who held me for 20 minutes speaking God’s love over me.
I’m changed by my Squad Leader who reminded me month one that God wanted to be my best friend. He longed for that personal relationship with me.
I’ve been changed by my Squad Mentor who reminded me that I didn’t have to be perfect to be loved by God.
I’ve been changed by my teammates who walked beside me every day of the race. Everyday they encouraged me to grow deeper in my relationship with the Lord. They taught me how to serve. They taught me how important vulnerability is and shared that I didn’t have to walk through my struggles alone. They loved me when I didn’t love myself. They held me as I cried when I lost my grandpa. They showed me what it looks like to walk beside someone and love them simply for who they are. They challenged me to go to God with everything in prayer. The pushed me closer to Christ every day I was with them.
I could go on and on about how this past year has changed me. Traveling the world has given me awareness of so many injustices that I didn’t see before. My eyes were opened to the realities of our hurting world. Our world is hurting not only in the places that I traveled to, but also in America. Thankfully we have a savior that can free us from the brokenness we experience. He offers us freedom and a relationship with him that can heal all of our pain in brokenness as long as we accept it. This past year, it was my goal was to share the Love and hope we have in Christ with all those I met and served with.
I am so grateful for this amazing journey that the Lord brought me on with him this past year. While God called me to share his love and compassion with people around the world he also continued to grow and transform me. I experienced him in new ways that I never have before. I experienced his love for me and grew in boldness and confidence as he revealed how he’s gifted me. I was changed by my teammates, squadmates, and the people I served. Due to these people and the ways the Lord grew me, I have been changed for the better.
