After the trip. Blog 1. Rest, Recover, Reflect

Acts 14:26-28. ²⁶ From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. ²⁷ On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. ²⁸ And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

The day after a mission trip is a day of relief. Nothing feels better than your own bed. The comfort of your own shower (a nice HOT shower at that) is an amazing feeling--especially after multiple long-haul flights. Being with family and familiar voices is also a great feeling. Getting that meal you've been missing for a week or so is a pleasant feeling. For some, driving on the right side of the road is also a welcome comfort.

All of these "normal" things are a reminder that you completed a rather disorienting journey into another culture--and you find great comfort in being back home.

Give yourself some time to recover and reflect on your mission experience. Here are some suggestions.

1. Take time to rest. If you traveled to another time zone, there will definitely be jet lag. And the older you get, the longer it lingers. Give yourself a day or so to wash clothes and clean up your travel mess. If you have to go back to work. take a day or two to catch up on missed work and communications. Otherwise, take some time to sleep and some time to think about your experience.

2. Take it easy on your food intake. If you travelled within the same language and culture, you may not have to worry too much about "Travel stomach." However, overseas travel and medicines can leave your digestive system in a compromised state. Take time to ease back into dietary habits. You can also take advantage of some of the changes you experienced on your trip and set some new goals and habits for yourself.

3. Pray and journal about your experience. Understand that you went through a significant experience which has transformed your view of the world and your view of yourself. You accomplished some new things on the trip--stuff you thought you were not capable of doing. Some travelers talk about the start of the trip as being "a life time ago." They are talking about the incredible impact that some trips can make in a short amount of time. Understand that some of the experiences you gained will not make sense to you just yet. You need to time to process all of the events. Over time, you will gain a big picture understanding of how the trip impacted you--and how God is speaking to you through that trip. By the way, if you want to remember something special from the trip, WRITE IT DOWN. I have reread many post-travel journals, and I always find that I have forgotten some important detail that the page has preserved.

4. Talk it out. Tell anyone and everyone about your trip. It will help you process the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth you made on the trip. Your family and friends will definitely enjoy processing your experience with you. There are some challenges here, which I have dealt with in another post. But definitely share your pictures, and definitely tell your stories. Pull out your souvenirs and show them off. Give all your gifts, and tell them why you bought those elements--and what a great bargainer you were in the process.

5. Thank your sponsors, your church, and anyone else who prayed for you or supported your trip. Give them a personal note stating what you accomplished. Let them know you arrived safely home.

6. Be smart. Finish taking your prescribed medicines. Watch your food intake. Sleep when you need to do. Pray over any unfinished business. If you brought some illness home, go see a doctor asap for appropriate treatment.