Recently, a friend asked me " well how will this change the way you act at TNU?" This is the first time I had been asked this question and it really hit me because I didn't have a clue.
My first answer to him was "I don't really know". Soon I replied with a general answer of, " well it will make me more patient with everything and everybody". What a lame answer. haha. Since then, I've been thinking about this question and what my real response should be.
This trip has made me a different person. I have grown up and matured. It's been hard coming back and dealing with old issues because I go back into the old Devon mode, but have realized I can't do that anymore because it's not who I am. So there is part one of my change when I go back to Trevecca. I am not going to be the same grudge holding girl that I use to be, but one who can forgive and forget and move on. I am not saying it'll be easy by any means, but its something that needs to happen.
I also feel more prepared for the tough situations I will go in to. I realize I no longer have to get mom or dad to fight my battles, but that I can do it on my own. The three of us girls have been through a lot the past two months and we had nobody but ourselves to stand up for what we knew was right. I now see how capable I am of being an adult and getting things taken care of that are my own to worry about.
People need to also be aware of what happened this summer. As we were at training camp talking, we decided the best way to get people involved was by telling our stories. My story is by far nothing I would want to send anybody else into, but its also something people need to realize about missions. "It's not always a success story"- Joel. And ours was a success, we grew and we did great things, but we were not always happy. People need to see missions is not always this happy fairy tale kind of adventure. I didn't realize the good we did until we got back and I am still realizing more and more every day. Telling my story is something that must be done and even the stories of the people I met. I'd like to see a change in the campus and see more people wanting to help.
I hope this answers your question Parker. I thank you for asking me because it's something I needed to look it to before I got back.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
the last ten days of adventure...
News Flash: We are now back in America! :D nothing could be better...but there is a lot yall need to here before we talk about home...
the sunday before we left, the new hampshire work and witness team returned to Monrovia to prepare for their departure. Thank Goodness! We got to hear Pastor Jeff speak and then spend some time with all of them before they left. Not exactly what we thought it would be though. We were taken to Mamba Point, a popular upscale hotel more commonly used by the NGOs and government officials. We first walked in an immediately were FREEZING!! we were all like what is a/c?? haha and the restaurant was ten times more amazing than anything we had seen. It also had a hefty price of 15$ per chinese buffet. WOW. way too much to take in all at once. it was even harder having two of our Liberian friends with us. They had no clue where to start on the menu. and then the other team was treating them like they knew nothing. one of the precious ladies set there and explained a digital camera and koolaid to janet. they are not completely oblivious to things. they are people. so it was a hard day, especially to see them leave.
The next few days held VBS and moving. After I killed a mouse in Sadie's toilet, we were moved to a new guest house in a totally new place. It had ac and tv and was quite amazing. It was a great way for us to get more use to going back home. We had a little issue with the people around us because one such figure was not one we completely appreciated, but other then that it was great. The people who ran it were amazing especially the sweet security guard who was older and loved to buy us bread and take picture with us. Peasly was great!
Sadie ended up getting a really bad cold, so Jen and I did our last VBS and the GOL 2010 project on the beach. That was a lot of fun. We just got to spend time with the people and people more our age.
Our farewell service at outreach was really good. The youth gave us dresses and bracelets to remember our trip by and everyone said goodbye. It was hard to leave my sweet babies behind and not even really get to say goodbye because of some mess ups. Poor alex cried because his decontee(me) was leaving. What a sweet boy. We then moved to the mother and father day service at central church. This was really interesting to see. The fathers that were chosen were the ones giving the most money to the church. Not really great ethics but if it works for them. Funny thing is, we hadnt eaten all day. So Evangeline, the wonderful, made us fried chicken, sandwiches, and french fries. It was the best last meal in Liberia.
The next few days were filled with getting travel things finalized and packing up. And then hitting the road to the airport. The airport was quite annoying because you have to be there like exactly 3 hours before and not earlier. So we had to get food and thank goodness we did because there was little to nothing in the two gate one room waiting room. haha here we waited for a whole lot longer than expected because the plane was late. But what a relief to get on a plane and take off.
Belgium was just as confusing because all the flights were delayed so we almost missed all of our flights back but luckily it all worked okay as every plane was delayed.
El Paso was great. All summer we though it would be dumb and we just wanted to go home, but it was such a big help. It really helped me realize that it was not a awful trip. A lot of good came from it. We reached a lot of children and even started two churches. We made relationships with the people in liberia and grew up. What a great trip it was minus the few flaws. none the less God is an awesome God.
the sunday before we left, the new hampshire work and witness team returned to Monrovia to prepare for their departure. Thank Goodness! We got to hear Pastor Jeff speak and then spend some time with all of them before they left. Not exactly what we thought it would be though. We were taken to Mamba Point, a popular upscale hotel more commonly used by the NGOs and government officials. We first walked in an immediately were FREEZING!! we were all like what is a/c?? haha and the restaurant was ten times more amazing than anything we had seen. It also had a hefty price of 15$ per chinese buffet. WOW. way too much to take in all at once. it was even harder having two of our Liberian friends with us. They had no clue where to start on the menu. and then the other team was treating them like they knew nothing. one of the precious ladies set there and explained a digital camera and koolaid to janet. they are not completely oblivious to things. they are people. so it was a hard day, especially to see them leave.
The next few days held VBS and moving. After I killed a mouse in Sadie's toilet, we were moved to a new guest house in a totally new place. It had ac and tv and was quite amazing. It was a great way for us to get more use to going back home. We had a little issue with the people around us because one such figure was not one we completely appreciated, but other then that it was great. The people who ran it were amazing especially the sweet security guard who was older and loved to buy us bread and take picture with us. Peasly was great!
Sadie ended up getting a really bad cold, so Jen and I did our last VBS and the GOL 2010 project on the beach. That was a lot of fun. We just got to spend time with the people and people more our age.
Our farewell service at outreach was really good. The youth gave us dresses and bracelets to remember our trip by and everyone said goodbye. It was hard to leave my sweet babies behind and not even really get to say goodbye because of some mess ups. Poor alex cried because his decontee(me) was leaving. What a sweet boy. We then moved to the mother and father day service at central church. This was really interesting to see. The fathers that were chosen were the ones giving the most money to the church. Not really great ethics but if it works for them. Funny thing is, we hadnt eaten all day. So Evangeline, the wonderful, made us fried chicken, sandwiches, and french fries. It was the best last meal in Liberia.
The next few days were filled with getting travel things finalized and packing up. And then hitting the road to the airport. The airport was quite annoying because you have to be there like exactly 3 hours before and not earlier. So we had to get food and thank goodness we did because there was little to nothing in the two gate one room waiting room. haha here we waited for a whole lot longer than expected because the plane was late. But what a relief to get on a plane and take off.
Belgium was just as confusing because all the flights were delayed so we almost missed all of our flights back but luckily it all worked okay as every plane was delayed.
El Paso was great. All summer we though it would be dumb and we just wanted to go home, but it was such a big help. It really helped me realize that it was not a awful trip. A lot of good came from it. We reached a lot of children and even started two churches. We made relationships with the people in liberia and grew up. What a great trip it was minus the few flaws. none the less God is an awesome God.
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