Dear Future Me

Dear Future Me,
I sitting in an airport right now. In just a couple of hours I will be getting on a long flight to the states, that won’t be the end of my journey though. All things have to come to a end and right now I am looking at the end face to face with only a handful of days left of the WR.

But this! This is just a little something to remind you. A little reminder to not forget all the unexpected adventures you had this past year.

Funny how at the beginning of things you always think you know the ending. Kind of like all the times you watch movies with friends and they get frustrated at how you always predict the ending. Well this time ain’t like the movies. The endings are unexpected even to you. Here’s a glimpse on how I started and how I am ending; although there is no chance I can say it all in one letter.

I started out with a limited view of the world. I will end with a better understanding of different cultures having fallen in love with each one I’ve been in. I will also end with a even stronger want to fall in love with more cultures.

I came into this not knowing anyone, just another face in a room full of strangers. I am ending with unexpected closeness and familiarity. Memories that made strangers friends. And I thank God everyday for that lately.

I came into this with some travel experience and will leave having spending way too many hours to count on buses, trains, planes, and literally any other form of transportation you can think of.

I came in not knowing just how resources you had to be to communicate with people who’s language you don’t know. I will leave so much more thankful for google translate, charades, and strangers’ grace and willingness to understand.

I came into this with a willingness to sleep anywhere and will leave with it to…. But will also leave with a stronger appreciation for pillows, mattress, sleeping on my bed, and blankets.

I came into this not know how many different ways “ministry” could be. Now I have seen how creative people can get to just tell people about the hope that Christ can provide. I saw people use any excuse to let people know about their creator who loves them. From providing a warm meal to having a chaotic henna party and everything in between.

I came into this with a backpack full of my own clothes and will leave with nothing that started out as mine. (Shout out the drop table and thrift stores!)

I came into this knowing the importance of prayer but not practicing it well. I am leaving the WR having seen and felt the importance of constant prayer.

I came in indifferent about community. I’m leaving having experienced a community who are all constantly pursuing God and pushing each other to do the same. Even though it was not perfect it will probably the closest community I will ever have.

I came into this with so much experience working in ministries and I will leave with so much more.

I came into this already having lived out of a backpack and will have left with so. Much. More. Time. Living out of a backpack.

So future me! Never forget all that happened to you the last 11 months. Remember all those experiences that felt more like a fever dream than reality because they were reality! Remember all the times you called out to God this last year and all the times He responded. Remember all the times you laughed till you cried and cried till you laughed. And above all else always remember the reason you were able to do the WR. and don’t forget to thank them for it!

sincerely me