bittersweet

“How was your trip?” A question I will inevitably face over and over in the next few weeks. The question is an understandable one and largely unavoidable; most people who ask it realize the irony in requesting someone to sum up an intense 6 month journey across multiple countries and cultures in a sentence or two, but what else do you ask? When I’m the answerer, I often find myself simply dismissing the question with a “Great!” or “Challenging, I learned a lot!” and for most questioners, that’s enough; after all, we Westerners are quite concise and are unsure how far and deep we should inquire after something when it very likely might present an conversation involving things we know little about or one that is a little too honest or uncomfortable. We also are fearful of involving ourselves in a situation where we might not know the questions to ask or understand the other person completely. I have experienced the fears and awkwardness of the questioner as a guest many times in the last months. I understand.

How was my trip?

Diverse. Humbling. Exciting. Uncomfortable. Confusing. Shaping. Intriguing. Enjoyable. Refreshing. Holistic. Surreal.

I reconnected and learned the lives of close friends living in places unimaginable from NW Iowa. I met others in passing or in depth who challenged and sharpened my definitions and understandings of faith, Church, humility, forgiveness, patience, identity. I depended entirely on others, strangers and friends alike, for 6 months, a humbling and formative activity. I met many delightful people, ate delectable foods, and was blessed by countless people and cultures along the way. I had fun; I was terrified, excited, apprehensive... So yes, it was “a good trip.”

I am thoroughly enjoying the last week of my journey with a good friend back in Nairobi, but I am excited to spend the summer in the mid-west with friends, family, bonfires, weddings, and fellowship. And as everyone can identify with, conclusions of any kind leave one with a bittersweet feeling. “Worn-out” accurately illustrates my current mental state. It also more than describes the condition of my beloved khaki pants.