Looking Back

We have been back from Nicaragua for one week.  As I think about our trip just one week ago, the life that we lived for a week seems like another world: Waking early, doing devotions, sharing meals together, constructing homes, playing with orphans, visiting prisoners, singing, laughing, swimming, and serving others... were all a regular part of our life in Puerto Cabezas.  So when images of the orphans and the trip come to mind (such as the one that I have posted today - Thanks Noel), I wonder what did we learned from the experience?

Many kids and adults promised that life would be different when they returned home, based upon the experiences there.  I have seen numerous trip photos shared on Facebook as well as hearing stories and encouraging words.  We had a post Nica get-together this last week at IHOP in Ashburn and it was great to see people from the team.  I have been thinking back this week to lessons learned in Nicaragua, which I believe were many.  However, I have also been considering how life might be different for those who  participated.   In other words, which lessons may have impacted the way that we live each day now that we are back at home?  

Many of the kids that went on the trip have been to Nicaragua more than once.  They made comments like, "I love the way I feel when I am serving at the orphanage." You might ask "why?"  I believe it has to do with the way that God created each of us to live.  We were made to live in community with God and with others - serving and paying close attention to the needs of others.  When we go to a place that helps us connect with God each day, serve those in need, put aside selfishness and distractions that are so prevalent back home, I think people feel a sense of purpose that can be missed in the "same ole" life of Northern Virginia.  

The big question for me is, "How can we apply what we learned now that we are back here at home?"  Does it really take us a mission trip in another country to get priorities right?  I would love to say "no" and profess that I am above this tendency, but that wouldn't be true.  I have been considering what elements can be replicated and how to make that possible.  For me it has been a commitment of daily devotion to God, meeting with friends - sharing openly and honestly with them, and lastly, serving others.  Although none of these sound like rocket-science practices, they all seem to come much easier when carried out in an environment where everyone shares the same desire of living in this manner.  I am not so sure we were meant to live this way on our own, though that does not mean we are off the hook when surrounded by those who do not share the same view of life.  It is however, my hope to do my best to apply these practices now that we are home, and to create ministries at church which are conducive to this simple yet challenging way of living.

(For more on this topic see Daniel chapter 6 and Hebrews chapter 11)