you are not alone

THANKS for this MP!!!

...such a GREAT depiction of our  re-entry and transition. 

the story of our mission to mission experience.

Phase 1: wooohooo! going back home to see family and friends! "how was the philippines?" "did you see elephants in your backyard?" "how was your vacation?"  ....there's a whole lot of questions - just make sure there's a listening ear for the responses. :)

Phase 2: something has changed...what's going on? who AM i? i need a retreat to help me process my mission experience - there's just so much. and home? i have too many things. there are too many choices. privilege - what do i do with it?

 

Phase 3: Mission to Mission - wait, you're a missioner too? you went overseas also? you know what i'm talking about when i say re-entry and culture shock? you're really going to listen to my story? the good AND the bad? oh wow - ok, let's talk!

 

Phase 4: mission to mission friends, thanks for listening to my story. the good AND the bad. and for not giving me a time limit. and for your insights. crazy how you get ten totally different people in one place for a weekend, find the commonality to be that we had all served overseas, and there's so much head nodding and agreement and understanding - we're totally all in the same boat. different places on the boat...but totally sailing on the same sea. // late night sessions with snacks and treats and storytime and laughing and laughing and laughing and for some reason, always ending on a conversation about poop. what? it's mission.

 

Phase 5: affirmation! we're gonna be OK! :) :) :) reverence our experience, integrate, and learn to be patient and gentle with ourselves during this time of transition!

 

Phase 6: John 15:13 // Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. so good.