I don’t know where a year has gone, but it has gone. My arrival back in the United States is scheduled for August 4th, just a few days away. In preparation for my return, let’s go through some basic guidelines for how best to interact with your favorite missionary.
Questions that you should NOT, under any circumstances, ask me:
- How was it?
Um, seriously? You expect me to sum up an entire year of Africa in some pleasantry? Impossible. It was amazing. It was difficult. It was frustrating and overwhelming. It was heartbreaking. It was incredibly fulfilling. Sometimes all in one day. It was the best year of my life, and I will not reduce the experience to “It was good”.
2. Are you happy to be home?
Of course I’m happy to be home. Home is home, and home is comforting. I’m excited to move to a new city and start law school. I can’t wait to see friends and shop at Target. It is so nice to get in a car without worrying about it breaking down. Reliable electricity is such a treat. I love the United States, and it is great to be back.
At the same time, I am absolutely devastated. I have left 51 children that I love more than anything. I don’t know when or if I will see them again. It breaks my heart. And I miss Africa. Africa is an adventure, always. I miss the feeling that I am doing something that really matters. I miss the sun; I miss the bush. A piece of me will be there forever.
If you’re searching for something to say upon greeting me, I would like to suggest “It’s nice to see you again” or “We’re glad that you’re back”.
Please also understand that I am not the same person who left in September. Though I may still love Will Ferrell movies and high heels, a lot has happened in the past 11 months. I have been witness to things that you can’t comprehend. I have made choices that you never will.
My entire perspective has totally shifted. It’s going to require a lot more patience from me to listen to someone complain about their broken cell phone because I know people who don’t have enough food to eat. And don’t whine to me about the price of gas until it costs you so much that you have to move into a mud hut.
Unless you have lived in Africa, you cannot understand.
Don’t get me wrong, I want to share this year with you. I am so looking forward to talking about what God is doing here. I have dozens of amusing look-at-the-silly-white-girl stories to recount. My kids are fabulous, and I want to tell you all about them. There is much to say.
August 4th. First stop, Starbucks. Caramel frappucino. With whipped cream, because I’ve earned it.
or my favorite question: did you see people with AIDS? ah, no comment. i’ll buy you a carmel frappucino august 21st. YAY!!! so excited to see you soon. xoxo-e
I predict that your least favorite comment will be “I didn’t realize you were gone.”
Jamie – I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed reading your adventures in Africa over the past year. You have a gift, and I hope that if law school leaves you enough time you’ll consider putting more of your stories on paper, because you’ve given many of us not only inspiration but also much-needed perspective lest we complain too much in the audit room. Best of luck in the future and please keep up writing!
So, now that you are back in the States and I am here…a good long catch up email is an order, okay? There seems to be much that I have missed due to lack of internet. I miss you and hope you had a safe flight across the pond. And, I’m just going to throw this out there, but there’s another 18-20 mos for you to come back here and visit me
Good luck with the law school prep!
I enjoyed reading your NOT-to-ask questions. For 20 years I have been involved in education, debriefing, and support for retuning missionaries. I would like your permission to quote your questions and comments, please?
Hi Heather. Sure!