9 Ways To Help Me Transition Home

It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that I’ll be in my own bedroom in less than 30 days. It’s hard for me to imagine that this life-changing year is coming to a close. It’s hard for me. I’ve traveled plenty of times before the Race. I’ve always found myself comfortable adapting from culture to culture. But truly the World Race is a culture of it’s own and it’s going to be a hard one to leave.

You might be thinking “Erica’s coming home…again. What’s new?”

You know that it’s not my first time leaving home for an extended period of time and you know that it won’t be my last. So what makes coming home this time any different?

I’ve never experienced transformation like this before. Coming into a close, intimate relationship with Jesus has shaped the way I say and do everything. I’m going from a 24/7 tight knit community life to having my own bedroom and a door that closes in front of it. I am used to picking up all my belongings and moving from one extreme culture to the next over 20, 30, 40 hour travel day(s).

There are some things that YOU can do though to help with my transition home. I adapted this blog from Ashley Guinn who wrote a recent reentry blog.

So here are 9 ways you can help me as I transition home:

1. Welcome me home! Meet me at the airport with a sign! When you see me, give me a big hug and tell me how much you’ve missed me. I’ve missed you and have been anticipating my reunion with those I love from the day I left!
2. Reverse culture shock is real. Have patience and grace.  I’ve been gone for 11 months and have had to continually adjust to new cultures and environments. I’ve been constantly surrounded by 5+ other teammates, lived in uncomfortable living environments and mastered living on $5 a day for food. The World Race was more than a fun vacation or mission trip. It was a transformative year and one that will be a big part of my story forever. My squad has become a close family over the year and when we arrive home I will be losing that. Allow the time and space for me to mourn.
3. Ask specific questions. Don’t be afraid to ask about my year, but try to ask more specific questions than “How was your trip?” It’s hard and overwhelming to try and summarize a whole year’s experience in one sentence or with one vague question. Ask questions like “What was a highlight of your time in Myanmar?”, “What were some of the biggest lessons that God taught you?”, “Did you have a favorite ministry?” Specific questions will help me share my experiences with you in more depth.
4. I want to hear about your life. Lots has changed and happened for me since I left home. I’m sure there have been some changes in your life too over the past year. Tell me what has gone on and how you’ve changed and grown. How has the Lord been working in you? I truly care about your life back in the States and want to know more than just the surface level of “my life is same old, same old.” Share with me fun stories about your holidays or an event your recently went to or what challenges you’ve had to overcome.
5. Invite me.  I’m an extreme extrovert at heart and although I’ll want plenty of downtime (seeing as it will be the first time I’ve been truly alone in almost an entire year), I have been out of my social circle for almost a year. I’ve been able to keep up to an extent, but there is a lot that I haven’t been able to catch up with. Invite me to things because more than likely I want to be a part of it. Even if you don’t know if I can make it, invite me. Reach out to me and include me in your community. Community was very important on the race and I will be missing it upon return. And if I say “no” once or twice or even three times, don’t give up. I’ll be taking it day by day upon return.
6. Encourage the change you see. The World Race gave me an environment to self reflect and dig deep into my past and change my perception to look more like Christ. You may notice that I handle situations in a different manner than I did before the Race. When you see a good difference or a good change in behavior, say something! Let me know how I’ve grown and that you’ve noticed. Often times it’s hard to see how one has changed, so vocalize it! It’ll mean a lot to me. On the same note, give me grace. I may be hard on myself that I’m not as patient or gracious to those around me the way I was on the Race, because of being back in the environment as before I left. Remind me not to beat myself up for it and encourage the good you do see.
7. Encourage rest. It’s been 11 months of growth, challenge and being uncomfortable.  I have been pushed physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally. I’ll need time to rest and process the year. Help me process by encouraging me to spend time reflecting on the year. Pray with and for me. Quality time is important. Ask about and listen to me when I share my experiences. Follow-up with me and ask how I’m doing, try to go beyond surface level conversation.
8. Don’t put pressure on my future plans. I may not have a long term plan yet after Squad Leading, but don’t think that I haven’t been thinking and praying about it. Many Racers are entering a season of rest and a time of processing the year, which in the American society may be perceived as laziness. It’s not. Don’t be afraid to ask about my future plans and don’t be afraid to share different opportunities with me. My plans for the future may be very different than what I told you before the Race and know that it’s not a bad thing. Even if it doesn’t make worldly sense or isn’t what society tells me what should be next, be loving and supportive in what the Lord has revealed so far for my after-Race plans.
9. Lastly, give me grace. I will do my best to reintegrate into American culture. But it’s going to be hard for me. Know that I’ll give you grace too. Unless you’ve been on the race, there are some things you may not understand about me or my experience. It’s really okay, and I’ll do my best to let you in on it and forgive you if you can’t wrap your mind around it.

I land in Tampa, Florida the evening of June 22^nd. I’ll be stateside for three months before I head out again with a new squad as a leader. I want to spend as much time with everyone as possible. But also know that these 3 months are also a crucial rest period for me so that I will be reenergized and ready for another 5 months overseas come October. Thank you so much for loving me well by reading this blog and putting them into action. I can’t wait to see you again in just a couple weeks!