Initially

Some initial thoughts. . . . 

Well the last five weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions. A summer of mission trips like I never imagined.

I was extremely blessed to be able to go back to two native villages in Alaska. My heart has been there for eight years now. My first trip to love on those kids was in 2003. This year, I returned yet again for over two weeks. We were able to do a VBS for the kids in each village. Sometimes, I think going on these trips blesses me more than it does those kids. It was been beyond what I could have imagined to watch some of the kids grow up over the years.

At the end of a previous trip, I remember having conflicting feelings about shopping before catching the flight home. We had just spent the week with kids that had holes in their shoes, wore the same clothes all week, and at age 5 were caring for their younger siblings while their parents were not around. How could I rationalize buying stuff to collect dust? I couldn't! The kids have a life full of abuse: sexual, physical, emotional, alcohol. It is hard to watch them get torn between coming to VBS and "connecting" with us even though they know we will be leaving in a few short days. They distance themselves toward the end of the week to make the goodbye's easier.

Then, just 6 days after this, my life changed forever by going on a trip to Ethiopia and Rwanda with Visiting Orphans. This trip was more than I could have ever expected. Actually, I'm not even sure I knew what to expect. I do admit that I felt like I wasn't as prepared as I could have been for Africa because my time was consumed in preparation and literally in Alaska.

First, let me say that there really is no great and wonderful way to have a tidy description of mission trip to Africa. It just isn't possible. But I will try my best to share a glimpse of my experiences.

With all the emotions still vividly running through me, it is hard to summarize everything. It is literally a whole different world over there. It almost frustrates me to come back and live with the never ending luxuries that we take for granted in the Western culture.

Something as simple as shoes. How many pairs of shoes do you have? How often do you wear each pair? How many pairs of shoes do you have that are same but you thought you "needed" them in different color schemes? I have too many shoes for myself, don't wear them enough to rationalize owning them, and have been guilty of getting the same in different colors. The kids that we were blessed to spend time with are lucky to have one pair of shoes. If they are luckier than some, they will match. If they are extremely lucky, the shoes will fit and not have any holes or broken parts.

The food that the kids get at the orphanages varies some but in general lacks many nutrients. Meat is a rarity on the dinner plate, making protein something that everyone lacks immensely. A loving human touch is something I fear the kids only experience when teams go to visit them as we did. When is the last time you hugged your children, friends, or spouse? or even held their hand? A number of kids won't recognize the language barrier, they are content to just hold your hand.

So many thoughts, emotions, feelings, and experiences are rolled into such a short time. I will continue to share as I process everything.