I took a 2-hour flight from Lusaka to Johannesburg, 11-hour flight to London, and then hopped on a 9-hour flight that finally carried me home to the great state of Georgia about a week ago. I wobbled and swayed under the weight of too many bags (see if you can find all 5 in the picture) as I stumbled out of the Hartsfield-Jackson baggage claim. I was greeted with warm embraces and the familiar humidity of the South, and I was happy to be home. I had missed my family, I had missed my boyfriend, and I had missed my town. I was ready for familiar food and my own comfy bed. But I would soon come to realize that spending 6 weeks in a foreign culture has some strange effects on your former understanding of “familiar.”
The first wave of shock came when I stepped through the church doors Sunday morning. I entered into our air-conditioned building with its big comfy chairs and walls with sleek paint jobs. Sultry waves of smoke contrasted the psychedelic spectrum of lights flooding through the darkness. I took my typical place with my family in a balcony aisle, and felt my chest harden with a growing sense of alienation.
My palms began to sweat; panic. I felt closed-off, separated. I peeked around and saw people politely standing, singing praises to God, a melody of voices filling the atmosphere. “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free…” but as I watched the familiar people, and heard the familiar tune, confusion nevertheless, chocked me.
Freedom? Freedom… I remember what freedom looks like. My heart swam back through the sleepy days and the long plane rides, back to the Zambian outback on similar Sunday mornings. People were dancing and swaying and singing in my mind. I could see their smiling faces and hear their rich laughter and feel the weightlessness of their praise. Yes, I remember worship in Zambia. And I felt a heaviness seep over my heart. And that’s when the tears started.
Loving voices soon surrounded me. “How was your trip? I bet it was an amazing experience! What was the best part?” And even as I stood there trying to speak, I was utterly speechless. I tried to fill my mouth with words, but all that came was an overwhelming feeling of loss. How can I explain it to you? “I… it……… was an incredible experience,” was all that would pitifully tumble out. I would go off about the sightseeing or the New Day kids and how brilliant they were. I tried to give reassuring facial expressions, and everyone would always give an empathetic smile, and I would struggle to turn the conversation back around on them. No one ever really noticed. But as they launched off on everything they’d been doing that summer, I felt like I was watching a TV screen in front of me. I didn’t feel present, and the truth was, I wasn’t. I was slowly coming to realize a pretty sizeable chunk of my heart was still racing around the plains of Africa. How do you explain that to people? How can I make you understand everything that happened in that place? How can I tell you about holding those beautiful children in my arms or what it felt like to worship in another language or to see the grace of God spill out in torrents over people I’ll never see again in my life? How are there words for things like that?
Thus the feeling of panic. Thus the feeling of displacement.
I struggled through conversations in and out of that first day. I finally got home, and slowly climbed the stairs to my room. I pulled open my creaky closet door, melted down to a fetal position under my hundreds of shirts and pants and dresses and skirts, and wept. And wept.
You’ve probably heard of reverse culture shock. I had once or twice. But it still didn’t make sense. I felt like a perfect stranger in a place I had called home for almost 22 years. I wasn’t prepared for the bewilderment. I wasn’t ready for the shock of American culture. Everything was the same, so what had changed?
The problem wasn’t that my little hometown had changed, but that I had. I sat there in my closet that day, staring up at all my clothes. It was utterly overwhelming. Back in Zambia, I was accustomed to wearing the same two skirts and the same athletic pants every single day. And compared to most Zambian women, even that was an abundance of clothing. And the truth was, it wasn’t hard. I loved it. I don’t need all the clothes I have in America. And forget clothing: my room is LITTERED with things I don’t need. Mostly just for comfort. Mostly for security. Mostly because I never knew. I didn’t know.
Here I am a week later, and I’ve come to better terms with the onslaught of feelings. I make conversation about Africa without tearing up, as a matter of fact, I’m speaking to a youth group tomorrow about some of the things I learned while I was over there. But it took some patience to get to this point. And the fact remains that the ugly, panic-inducing, gut-wrenching feeling everyone has coined as “reverse culture shock” actually is a legitimate thing that takes a lot of prayer and intentionality to work through.
I’ve written several pieces that I will post this week attempting to voice some of thoughts for which I couldn’t find words a week ago. They’re about things that I don’t want to forget; things I shouldn’t forget. But for now, the biggest thing that I want to note that has helped me work through the culture shock is knowing that the same faithful God Who called me with a purpose to Zambia is the same God Who called me back to America. If He really is Who I believe Him to be, then regardless of my emotions, I know He hasn’t left me. I know that He has a purpose and a plan for my life. I used to struggle with thinking I would miss that one big purpose, but I’ve come realize our purpose in life isn’t one big event that we’re climbing towards. Our purpose here on earth is to love God and love people while we’re here on this earth. However we can, wherever we can, whatever it costs us personally. When God is the One setting the vision of our hearts, we’re not missing Him. He’s dwelling there with us. This is transcendence, this is peace: I want nothing but Your presence, God. I am filled. Wherever I am.
Scripting Grace 
I appreciate you putting into words what I felt. At least some of what I felt. We kept looking around the house saying why do we have so much? We also felt like our priorities had been radically reorganized. We stll do not feel like we totally fit here any more.
Grace, I just started following your blog recently after talking with Gloria. My son & daughter worked for your grandmother. My son, Kyle, & his family live in Lexington and would love to meet you when you return sometime.
Your blog gives me great encouragement for the youth of our country. The “American Dream” has been a deterrent to God’s Great Command and I am so glad to read about your trip to & from Zambia. God has great purpose for you and it sounds like you are sensing that purpose . Thank you for sharing not only your experiences but yourself with a world that needs Jesus. God bless.
Ms. Wells, I would love to meet up with your children at some point. Feel free to tell them to add me on Facebook (Grace Oliver.) Thank you for your encouragement!
You are an amazingly gifted writer! I read this and think, “Yes, that’s how to describe what I’m feeling”. I was at New Day in April with the prosthetics team, so it was only for two weeks. I can’t imagine how six weeks would feel. But I’m sorting through some of the same feelings. Thank you for putting these feelings in words. I have loved following your blog.
Most of the world does not have and doesn’t need all the things we think that they are living without and many of them are a whole lot more spiritual than we are because of their lack of things. We go out into the world thinking we are going to change it and we find that it changes US. So the challenge becomes “how can we change our own world so that it better reflects that which we saw and felt in another part of the world?” God’s amazing Love and Grace will open the doors that we have become and fill our worlds with Joy. And so it begins…
Grace, after 15 years of being involved in Short Term Missions with 26 trip to Kenya alone, I still feel this every time I land in Atlanta. Isn’t it wonderful though to know God has trusted us to do something like this? Blessings on all you do for Him.
I loved your story. You have been immersed in MISSIONS! My husband and I served with refugees and immigrants in Western Europe. We were eternally changed and our worldview changed. I am thankful you had that experience and know it has broadened your horizons. May God continue to bring opportunity in you life.
I was just speaking about this with someone today. I went to Tanzania last summer and when I came back I didn’t know what to do with myself. My heart was broken towards the lost in Tanzania and bitter towards those here in the states. I had to remind myself that God knows exactly what he’s doing not only in my life but in everything. Keep doing great things for the Lord!
Your reply is a great reminder and a real healer, Patrickchoi2014. God knows exactly what He’s doing, and keep doing great things for Him! Thank you for that.
We have been living in Arusha Tanzania for the last 6 years ministering to the Massai .What a joy it is to worship and pray with them and to be humbled by their “lack of things”.We come back to England every year to visit family and friends but after a few weeks we are “itching” to get back home to our extended family. After living 66 years in this “get society” I can truly say that the last 6 years have been THE BEST and have taught me what living is really all about. I urge anybody and everybody no matter what your age is to go experience the mission field.—-your life will never be the same again. God Bless
Patrick, I leave for Tanzania tomorrow morning. I am so glad to find all these post they have helped me greatly. Through this time of getting ready I have been in much pray and many have prayed for me and the group that I am going with. I first have to travel to Boston and meet up with the Kulea group that I am going with. Thanks so much for your offer of experience! Sherry
Love your story. I experienced similar feelings after my first mission trip to Belize. God ended up calling me into full time Missions, and I’m now in my 25th year as a full time Missionary to Belize. My wife and I love hosting short term volunteer groups, like the one I went on 25 years ago, as we see God continue to use that venue to draw hearts closer to Himself. It was such a joy to read your article. May God continue to move in your heart for His glory and the world.
That is so amazing! I have a similar experience when I went to Ghana a month ago. Coming back home was heart breaking for me. With a lot and a lot of prayer, I feel God calling me to the Mission field. How did you get involved as a full time Missionary? After college this is what I want to do but I have no idea who to reach out for help!
Grace. Thank you for your article. We have been in Zambia about 1 year and we plan to visit the States next May or June. For me and our kids, I really wonder how we will handle it. Our kids have not put on a pair of shoes in a year and don’t see the need for showers or clothes. I think they will have a huge adjustment. I appreciate your thoughts and would love to learn more about your trip. God bless.
Very well articulated! I know the feelings well . . . Thanks for putting it all down so others can understand you better – and understand themselves better when their time comes.
Your experience is so true and you aren’t alone. My husband and I are missionaries in the Dominican Republic. We lived there for two years but now just travel down spring and summer to work with our teams (long story). But when we first moved there and would return to the US to visit people would ask us about it and it’s hard to articulate it (and to be honest the people asking really don’t want to know, they are asking out of kindness but they aren’t really willing to sit and listen for hours, to try and grasp at some kind of comprehension of what you experienced). If you haven’t been on a mission trip, whether short term or long term, you really have no way of understanding what others experience when they return. Culture shock is a big thing. I had to learn years ago (I’ve been doing mission work for 14 years now) that God doesn’t want me to feel guilty about the things He’s blessed me with. Yes we do have way too much stuff (and yes we think we need it all) but as long as we continue to obey God and serve Him and love Him, that’s what He wants. I take what God has given me and I give it back in return as best I can. I do live with less now. It is easier to sacrifice things so that I can give more to others. When it comes to experiencing God, I wish I could tell you that you will always live in the high of your experience but without even realizing it the walls our society has taught us to build up will come out again. They won’t be as high as before but you will probably continue to struggle with trying to truly be free in worshiping and loving God around others who don’t really understand what it looks to live freely for Christ. You may be the only one in your church to raise your hand in praise or bow down in the middle of singing because God is humbling you. You may sometimes feel like an outcast in your own church, but it’s good for others to see you living true to God like that. That’s how God wants you to live. Take the best of both cultures and integrate that into your life. Remember that God is ALIVE!!!! Live like it! Be true and honest with Him! All else will fall into place. I wish I could say it is going to be an easy transition for you but it’s not. You will feel frustrated at things (and people) who are ignorant and don’t realize it. Continue to look to God because He is the same everywhere and there is no better life than the one lived for Him!
Hi Grace. Great stuff. You are not the first one to go through it and will not be the last one. I would encourage you to continue sharing it and, at the same time, exercise patience with yourself and your audience. There is a lot to process. Even though we haven’t met face to face, I can see all that you are writing here. I am a fellow sojourner, living in Southern Africa for the last 25 years, and have related with many “short-termers” like yourself. I hope you will find other missionaries or friends like minded to process your experience, people that can hear and see your heart. Blessings on you. Be an advocate for missions from North America … and, please, don’t let anyone tell you that the time for Americans is over … better send others! The enemy of our souls, and of the Gospel, is spreading this like fire in this beautiful land of USA. Keep fighting, keep walking, keep looking up … He is near. Blessings!
“The same faithful God Who called me with a purpose to Zambia is the same God Who called me back to America. If He really is Who I believe Him to be, then regardless of my emotions, I know He hasn’t left me. I know that He has a purpose and a plan for my life.” Thank you (: Almost a month later i’m still needing this truth repeated over my life.
When I returned from my first mission trip to Russia back in 1997, I received some of the best advice I have even gotten from my friends Bill and Amy Stearns. They wrote several books on missions before Bill went home. Bill told me exactly what you stated. I was the one who had changed during my time away. The folks at home hadn’t and that could be very frustrating for someone returning from the field. So much had happened to me. I was filled with stories. Life changing events. My life had changed.
Here is the advice to remember upon returning:
When you return, people will ask you how your trip was. If someone asks you this question once, their inquiry is best related to someone asking, “How are you?” They are being polite. That is our cultural greeting. Most people don’t really want to know how you are. So, respond to them the same you would respond to someone asking, “How are you?” Don’t say fine. Say something like, “Great! It was life changing.” Leave your response to that.
If they ask you a second time, they are a bit more interested in hearing about your trip. Tell them one short story of your experience.
If they ask you a third time, open the flood gates. They really want to know what happened to you and the people you worked with on your trip. They want the details. They want to hear of the emotions. The tears. The laughter. The heart change you experienced.
When we return from the field, we want to tell EVERYONE what happened to us. The first person who asks us how our trip was, we dump on them. We do this to the first five or so people. More than likely none of those five really want to hear all our stories. By the time a person who wants to come along side you and help you with your re-entry you are exhausted from sharing and frustrated from the lack of understanding from our friends, loved ones, and church members.
This is the best piece of advice I ever received from Bill Stearns. I miss having him a part of my life.
You don’t know me nor will we probably ever meet but from the bottom of my heart I say thank you. It has been 7 months since I came home from Rwanda after being there for 6 months. 7 months and the feelings of loss still come around. I still find it hard sometimes to talk to people about certain parts, things I saw, things I felt, things I heard. I still find myself missing it terribly and getting frustrated at the materialism that I see around me. I question God about why I had to come back, why couldn’t I stay with those I love and the place that became my home. You have reminded me and encouraged me to trust God in what He is doing here, to trust that there is a plan and purpose for why He brought me back so thank you. Thank you for being open. Thank you for being honest. Thank you for following His call. Most of all though thank for loving those people, for loving those kids. Thank You
We’ve discovered the very same thing. My son was 12 when he went to Nicaragua with me 2 years ago and lost his heart there. At 14 years old he already has his first job – with the sole intention saving money so he can return to Nicaragua for a year after he graduates… In 4 years.
You put in to words feelings that are difficult to articulate for some. I spent 10 weeks in Kenya 6 years ago. I read your blog post and remember so well the feelings you described. Re-entry is tough. I remember the frustration I felt. I had changed but they had not. Thank you for these words.
It has been my privilege to serve on the mission field in Asia for ten years. My family and I moved to the Philippines in 2004. We worked with street children and the poorest of the poor, feeding them, loving them, educating them as much as we could. Three months ago we moved to Thailand. We are now involved in helping rescue those enslaved by human trafficking.
This amazing experience you have had on the mission field has obviously markedly changed you. You are no longer the person you once were a few months ago. However, you could very easily become that person again. Obviously the Lord has done an incredible work in you. Pray that He continues this work to completion, that it would continue to bear lasting fruit in your life.
It appears that you are now spoiled for the ordinary, that what was once so comfortable and familiar is now somehow tainted and reduced in significance or importance because of what you have experienced. There is purpose in this. I believe God engineered this trip to do just that.
World missions is a challenge for many Christians. So many know about missions and have a desire to do some part; however, that desire is often hard pressed to action. Keith Green wrote that instead of praying are we called to go, we should be praying are we called to stay? It is so much easier to remain in what is comfortable and familiar. J. Hudson Taylor poignantly said “The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.”
In your post above you offer us readers a glimpse into your willing and open heart. This openness and willingness is a valuable commodity to the Lord. He will not just brush this aside with indifference. Instead I am confident He will speak to you, reveal Himself to you. His plans and purposes for your life are vast and wonderful, indeed He is more excited about His plans for your life than you are. I am confident that as you seek Him, you will find Him.
Christ is calling, how far will you go?
David, well said! I had my first mission experience just out of high school-1967. It forever changed me. I missed the kids we cared for for 6 weeks. Since that time, I have lived in states in the U.S. that are mission fields and tried to share my faith as opportunity arose. God has blessed me with being able to go on several short term mission trips since my husband died. He has lead me to Russia twice, Croatia, China and Canada. Each experience is unique as are the people and their culture. Every time, I miss the people I met there and wonder how they are. One day, we will find each other in heaven!! Yes, coming back is a shock! But, like Grace and others have said-spread the word, encourage and invite others to go with you and don’t stop going!!!
Hi! I just got back from the Philippines and this was so beautifully attuned to my own heart. I’ve been overseas for a year before my time in the Philippines, but for some reason, this transition hit me the hardest. Feeling like an alien in familiar surroundings is the hardest. Anyways, thanks for writing this! It reminds me that being hot mess is completely okay and I’m not alone. God is good! 🙂
Hi! I just got back from the Philippines and this was so beautifully attuned to my own heart. I’ve been overseas for a year before my time in the Philippines, but for some reason, this transition hit me the hardest. Feeling like an alien in familiar surroundings is the hardest. Anyways, thanks for writing this! It reminds me that being hot mess is completely okay and I’m not alone. God is good! 🙂
Hopefully this will teach you that you can live a happy life with less in your life and not feel the need to have things you “don’t need.” When you see people who are happy with practically nothing, think about that.
Nice post. Thanks for sharing your on going experience with reverse culture shock, I feel for ya and I’ll be praying for you as well.
I wish I could hug you. Here’s a verse I cling to these days. “You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?” (Psalms 56:8 NASB)
I have been living in China for 13 months. I have two months left before I leave, and I’m already a wreck, lol. Going home is going to be soooo weird! On top of that, I’m not going home to stay. I’m going home to raise support and hopefully move to Africa by Jan-Feb 2015!!! God has me in a whirlwind right now, but He knows exactly where I am, where I’ve been, and where I’ll go. He sees our emotions and our hearts. He’s documented it all. I find great comfort in that. We aren’t alone! Not by a long shot. He’s got a plan, and He’ll protect and provide 🙂
God bless you sister, and also calm your heart and mind as you readjust.
Well Grace I have never heard of you or your blog until about 10 minutes ago. It was shared on a friend’s wall on FB. But here is the miracle: I just finished a time of deep prayer with God because I have been struggling in the exact way you have just described. I have been back from my very first missions trip of any kind to Guatemala where I worked in a Christian orphanage for about a month now. What you described is nearly identical to what I have been going through. I asked God right before sitting down and finding this blog that He would help me to remember that it is all about Him, not about me and another place in the world. I miss those kids dearly and have truly struggled adjusting to being back here. Grace, I NEEDED exactly what you wrote. EXACTLY…and right when I needed it and asked for it. Please pray for me as I am still trying to once again rest in Him and Him alone. And thank you so very much for allowing God to use you that way He has in my life this morning. I never cease to be amazed at His grace. God bless you.
cautions to keep in mind after missions:
– theres a let down from the spiritual high we were just on
– we are unaware of the likelihood of spiritual attacks when we’re back home
– there can be feelings of guilt (we’re not serving and giving our all out on the field)
– there can disappointment / disillusionment with our home, church and the body of christ
– we need to be careful of criticism
– we need to be careful of feelings of abandonment (not having a team around us, etc.)
– we need be careful that you don’t feel like you have a license to sin
encouragements / things to work through this
– maintain spiritual disciplines (devotion to prayer and the word)
– find a place to pour out to others
– continue to thank God for what he did on the trip, through you and in you
– share your story
I’ve been serving as a missionary in South Africa for 2 1/2 years now. I return to the States for good at the end of the year. I know that reverse culture shock. I went home to visit for two weeks last year, and it was a bit difficult. I actually looked forward to coming back to SA. That was just after 1 1/2 years. Time in another culture changes you – whether you were there for six weeks or three years. I just finished watching the HBO WWII series Band of Brothers. In the final episode, one of the soldiers – Shifty – says, “I don’t rightly know how I’ll explain all this.” Me either…me either.
My thoughts and feelings exactly! I have been to Namibia 3 times and will travel again in February. Thank you for speaking my heart. Blessings to you and you walk the path that God has put before you.
Thank you so much for sharing, it really blessed me to read that, especially the last paragraph and thinking about what God has done in your life. I didn’t have the experience of going to a culture that was very different than my own (though I hope to get to Africa someday), but after being in Northern Ireland for a year it’s so hard to settle myself back into my own life because I’ve grown out of this puzzle piece. I’ve been back a month and today was still one of the hardest days. I guess God knew I needed this encouragement at the right moment 🙂
This illustration might help you: http://ministry2kenya.blogspot.com/2013/10/12-years-in-kenya-i-am-triangle.html
Every time I’ve come back to Florida from Haiti I can’t stand to go in a Walmart for weeks.
My husband and I run an after school tutoring program in the Unites States in the “hood.” My guess is there is a tutoring program in most cities in the US. I wish we could get more Christians interested in what is going on here in the US . There are kids that will break your heart right down the road from all of us. Why can a church get a group excited to go overseas but not many people want to give their time to the under resourced in their own neighborhood? We are all called to serve the poor. Not just a few of us for a few weeks. I would encourage all of you responding to this article to see how you can serve the poor in your own neighborhood.
I found your blog because someone shared it on Facebook. I think your experience is what many feel after visiting a mission field, particularly a third world country. I had the wonderful experience of living in Haiti for three and a half years where I taught missionary kids. I remember coming home and having dinner with friends. When the meal was over, the hostess three away what was left, and I boiled with anger inside. I had to remind myself that she had not seen what I had. I’m sure that most people who go on a short term trip as you did have many of the same feelings, but you have expressed it all so well. God bless.
Reblogged this on Running for Christ and commented:
After getting back from Kenya two days ago, I had yet to put this into words. I literally could not have done it better than her.
Mission agencies and churches must teach the people engaging in missions about the process of re-entry. As important as setting up realistic goals for their trip is to prepare then for the shock of their return. A book called Re-entry, by Peter Jordan, is an amazing tool to help.
Grace,
I’ve been praying for you as your spent your time in Africa this summer and reading your writing brought tears to my eyes. I can’t relate in any close way at all like many of your readers…but I can tell you that your talent at putting your thoughts and feelings into words is stunning and very admirable and I was blessed and convicted by your post. As you transition into the new season Christ has called you to at home, I’m so glad you have found your home in Him and His presence. I’m so glad you made it home safe and sound.
-Hannah
You write, “I sat there in my closet that day, staring up at all my clothes. It was utterly overwhelming.”
I totally get that. I remember one relatively short trip I took, just down to the interior of the Yucatan Pennisula and that I had in my bag more things for a few weeks than the family who graciously shared their home with me had altogether.
My son who spent 2 years in Malawi came back to the US to complete grad school, but just last week moved back to Africa; this time to Uganda. His entire worldly possession now fit in one 27″ suitcase and a medium sized backpack. I’m not there yet myself, but I’m working on it.
Reblogged this on tonikelecheck's Blog and commented:
Coming home from a mission trip can be so overwhelming and confusing . Grace described perfectly how difficult the transition can be.
I have just recently returned from a awesome mission trip to Kenya, and you just summed up how I felt when I got back home. I still can’t put into words how my life changed on this trip! I didn’t know what worship was till I was surrounded with 300 beautiful voices singing in Swahili in in the slums of Niarobi with tears streamining down my face. I have always known God is everywhere but when you’re on the other side of the world worshipping the same God in in another language and in a building with no electricity as you do at home in our air conditioned churches, it’s indescribable. A huge piece of my heart will always be in Africa. Thanks so much for sharing.
“From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth, AND HAS DETERMINED THEIR APPOINTED TIMES AND THE BOUNDARIES OF WHERE THEY LIVE. He did this so THEY MIGHT SEEK GOD, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, THOUGH HE IS NOT FAR FROM EACH ONE OF US.” Acts 17:26-27
As someone who lives cross-culturally this verse is always a comfort to me. God has placed people where they are, when they are there and given them a purpose. He has placed you where you are, and appointed the time you’re there and it’s for the purpose that through you others might seek God. Culture is hard, EVEN if it’s your own. When our “home” is not this earth, we don’t truly “fit” anywhere, and that’s a hard realization to come to when we experience that in a very real sense. Remember to look at the things you love about American culture, to process the things you’ve experienced, remember the lessons you’ve learned, and keep your focus on loving PEOPLE, not the differences between you.
Thank you for sharing your experience, and I pray that you would grow in enjoying Christ more and more as He continues you on this journey.
Be blessed that you might bless others!
Thank you so much for putting into words all the exact feelings I have been struggling with. I have felt all these emotions and haven’t been able to truly express what I mean and your article does just that. A sincere thank you from another missions girl who left her heart across the sea.
I read Grace’s article, and having chaperoned teens on a mission trip to Jamaica, I understand the feeling you about your American lifestyle upon your return. But lest we forget and keep it in perspective, we enjoy this lifestyle due to the freedom secured by our Founding Fathers and nations military. For every missionary that serves around the world, it takes families and friends back home in the “comfortable” United States of America to support that noble endeavor. Missions doesn’t run on air … God will provide, but someone had to have the income to provide the food, clothes and material that make a mission trip possible. My caution is for one not to get disillusioned with the American lifestyle, but gain an appreciation that material things aren’t that important and family, friends, and neighbors are the important assets of life.
True Freedom is knowing and serving our Lord Jesus Christ. The older I am the less stuff I need to make me content. Every time I return from Belize I miss the simple life, worship, happiness on all the adults / children’s faces. When I return from outside the country i don’t go inside a grocery store for at least a week because of the amount of choices and selection of food we have and other countries have so little. … Thanks for sharing…
You explained very well why we have a rule here at mu church: for the first week after a mission trip, keep your mouth shut!
While perhaps sounding curt or harsh, it is meant to reflect the realities you and many posters allided to.
I’ve been privileged to go to India five times since I turned 50. I had only crossed into Canada from Niagra Falls prior to that. On the verge of hitting 60, i look forward to my next visit in His time to my “second home away from Home”.
I serve as one of 5 elders in my home church, and would encourage you to continue to trust the kind Sovereignty of God, and to know that the distinction we make between home and foreign missions (old school language?) is exxagerated.
The real key is holding yourself available to the Lord all the time. Whether here or elsewhere, you cannot tell what He will do with and through you!
But then, you’ve already tasted pf that! Thank you for your words and the heart behind them.
Grace, I came across your blog because someone posted this article on FB. I did my first mission trip overseas when I was 16 and now..having lived in 5 countries, having spent significant time in 29 countries and now 23 years later, I understand. I applaud you for stopping to take notice of how you are responding and feeling in this process. Keep leaning into Jesus. Keep listening to who He is calling you to be at the very core of your being. Some of those things you don’t want to let go of from your time away are an important part of that being. I think you are seeing that. 🙂 And one thing… in my experience, it is not necessarily easier the more you do it… but you do gain deeper understandings and insights. 🙂
I just got back Saturday from Honduras with a team of 26. My community (small) group leader sent me the link to this post. After reading it, I immediately sent it to the rest of our team. The responses have all been in the “thank you…spot on…exactly what I was feeling but couldn’t verbalize…” category. This should be handed to every person who steps off a plane after going on a mission trip.
As someone cautioned us before leaving, “If you’re happy with your life right now, don’t go on a mission trip!” Of course, he told us that after we were fully funded and only four weeks from our departure. 😉
I look forward to your deeper dives into the personal impact of serving like this. Even servants need to be served.
Good stuff. Keep it up!
The best way I have heard it explained is this: You are a blue person from a blue country and then you go to a yellow country with yellow people. Although you start to change and fit in more there, you only become less blue resulting in green…… soooo, when you return to your blue country, thinking you are still blue, you find you are not and somehow now are stuck in between both countries a permanent shade of green….. the people you now find the most like you are other green people…. This really helped my wrap my head around the “reverse culture shock” which is very real…. and often times you are not prepared for it. Before you leave on your trip you are prayerfully, financially, physically prepared spending much time learning the culture you will go into etc…. coming back we assume there is no preparation needed, we are just returning “home”…. the hardest part for me was when home seemed “normal” again…. meaning I had shifted back into thinking I needed all the things my time abroad taught me was just abundance.
Amazing!
wow! God has certainly gifted you with the talent of writing! i have currently been in Uganda for almost two months and only have one month left. time flies. i am so dreading the whole reentry process even though i can’t wait to see friends and family. i’ll be praying for you as you re-immerse back into america!
I just got back on Saturday from a missions trip to Nicaragua. This article is about me! I’m sure of it. So good to know I’m not the only one. Loved your last paragraph about the same God that is with us there is with us at home. That’s comforting.
Such an irony that here in africa we have no expriences to share
I don’t get your meaning, assange. I know for a fact that plenty of people in Africa have experiences to share, do so, and that those shared experiences are valued by others.
Wow, your words and heart are in such an amazing place. I spent 2 weeks in Haiti last year, and it was the greatest most God filled time I can ever account in my life. But I can’t explain in, when people asked me questions, I had no words, no idea how to do it justice.
Thank you so much for saying what so many of us can’t.