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Before leaving on my trip, I thought I was going to go see the world. Going to eat crazy foods. Learn little bits of different languages. Get really cool stamps in my passport. Witness miraculous healings. Take cramped and packed bus rides. Sleep in random and uncomfortable places. Lose weight due to a lack of nutritious food. Make great friends all around the world. See and get bitten by crazy bugs. Learn from disciplers.
 
Instead, I just lived life. That is what I have done for 9 months. Yes, I have gotten lots of cool stamps in my passport, made great friends, taken crazy bus rides, etc. But I really just lived life. After answering millions of questions of what it is like back in America ranging from – ‘What is your mother-tongue?’, ‘Do you have chickens in America?’, ‘What time does the sun set in America?’, I realize life and people are not much different. Yes, there are definitely major differences in development between these countries. However, the same things that people want in America are the same things that people want in Nicaragua, Thailand, and Kenya. They want security, peace, comfort, happiness, safety, and love. I thought before this trip that I was going to be living in very different places than America, but honestly they are not that different as people make the place.
 
I have met wonderful and amazing people. They have taught me so much. They have shaped and transformed me as “iron sharpens iron as one man sharpens another” (Prov 27:17). All the little kids in Kenya chanting, “How are you? How are you? How are you?” taught me to not get agitated at repetitive things. My squad has shown me how to love and care for the most random conglomeration of people. J My African Momma has taught me about sacrifice. The IGC church in Bungomma has shown me how to persevere in prayer. Patrice has taught and encouraged me to listen to the Lord. The churches in Pua, Thailand and Jinotepe, Nicaragua have shown me how to love with a language barrier. Saman in Pua showed me how a father should love his children. Momma Faith taught me how to cook everything with love and patience. Carlos showed me how to be strong in faith, and Amanda showed me how to encourage and pursue people. My family has taught me how to let people in and how to lose control. Little Griffin taught me how to laugh at myself.
So yes, I thought I was going to see and experience amazing things around the world, and that did happen. But that wasn’t the best thing. It was all the people. It was the people that made the trip. They will be the ones that I will talk about in stories when I get home in a few days. They will be the ones that I hang up in pictures on my wall. They will be the ones that I will continue to pray for. They are the ones that have impacted and shaped my heart forever.
 
So thanks Papa for taking my preconceived thoughts and instead giving me so much better.

9 responses to “I thought…”

  1. Well said. People are people regardless of the location. The love and care is found in all countries. God is our constant denominator.
    Love, Dad

  2. Audrey,

    Thank you for sharing. It’s amazing how much you have learned. I pray you have a safe trip home and get some well needed rest before your start your bookfield journies again.

    We’d love to see you and Emily sometime 🙂

  3. My precious Audrey, your synopsis of the last nine months is a sturdy bookend to a time of transformation. It brings to mind a well known song, Let Peace Begin With Me. I recall hearing it performed when I was about 9 yrs. old, attending your Aunt Linda’s high school graduation. It touched me deeply; through years of personal growth it’s meaning came to life through my dear mother’s quest to impart that peace in this world takes place one relationship at a time and it is possible when we see with our hearts how much we are alike as a human race. Just as Helen Keller’s teacher, Annie Sullivan knew when Helen understood the meaning of the word w-a-t-e-r, you’ve got it!
    Soon you return, better able to love with God’s love and His peace will flourish, one relationship at a time.
    I have been blessed to be part of your support team, to see Him grow more fully alive in you. Now, comes one of the sweetest blessings for me, to hold my child in my arms again. I am so ready!!

  4. Well done dear sister — may our Papa ease your grief as this journey ends. Look forward to seeing you again soon, hearing about the people, and the monkeys too — I’ll bring my list.
    Love, your uncle Richard

  5. so proud of you, audrey!! what an incredible journey you have been on – it’s been a blessing watching and hearing about it from afar. the lord has beautiful things in store for you! praying for you as you begin to unravel what those things will be.

  6. Audrey, So so great to read! I am blown away by what you’ve learned during your trip! It’s neat because your journey was more through people than the places that you visited! =) So excited to see you, beautiful one. Aloha!

  7. Audrey,
    What joy to hear such insightful words coming from your “pen”. This is so mature and full of the Gospel. You have been a mighty blessing to all those you have touched and have matured and inturn been Eternally blessed. I join with your family in being proud and over joyed.
    Your friend and brother, Jim Perkins

  8. Hey Audrey!

    I have absolutely LOVED reading through your blogs. Sounds like you’ve experienced some truly incredible things and been transformed from the inside out. I’m seriously considering doing Passport myself next year- excited at the prospect but scared as anything. I’d love to talk with you a bit about your experience if you get a chance:)

    Thanks!
    Katie Oeland

  9. Hi Audrey, I know that you got back home safely and are now off again for the summer. I just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed the blog and following you on your journey! What an incredible experience! I hope I get to talk to you some day about it. I know it had to be so powerful and enriching! I am proud of you.
    Dea