After the trip. Blog 3. Making sense of your experience

Galatians 2:20 (CSB). I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

You've had time to rest. Your stomach is finally back to feeling its normal self. You have been through your photos, cleaned them up, and have posted most of them for the world to see. And you have told many of your family and friends all about your experience.

It will be at this point that you begin to realize that most of the loving and supportive people do not truly understand your experience. Sure, they want to understand. But they do not laugh at the jokes the same way you do. They do not feel the depth of the emotions you encountered, and they do not share the same sense of awe at the scope of your trip and its mission. They listen with great care, and they love you deeply. But at some point, they will be ready to move back to the routine. But there are some thoughts and experiences that continue to resonate in your heart and mind.

Reality sets in. There is NO WAY they could understand what you have experienced unless they too have been in a similar mission setting. This can be a VERY LONELY FEELING. Rather awkward. Perhaps even frustrating.

It's OK. You are not the first to feel it.

Not everyone will understand why you took your trip. Some will not connect with your experience, but not be able to share the emotional connections you made. Some will thank you for your mission "service," but never ask you what you did. Others might suggest that your time and energies would be better spent with local missions, completely dismissing the impact of your trip. A few friends may even ask, "Wait--you went where?"

This does not invalidate your experience. But it does reinforce the unique nature your journey. As you move forward with life after your trip, here are some way you can reenter life after your mission experience.

• Accept that some experiences cannot be fully explained. Not every meaningful moment can be captured in words. It's okay if others don't completely understand what you experienced.

• Be patient with (and THANKFUL for) your family and friends. They care about you, even if they cannot fully grasp the emotions and lessons that came from your trip. Still, you could not do this without them.

• Share stories instead of trying to explain everything. One meaningful story often communicates more than a long summary of every event.

• Celebrate the growth God has produced in you. The greatest evidence of your trip may not be what you say, but how you live after you return.

• Stay connected with your mission teammates. They understand the journey because they lived it with you. Continue encouraging one another as you process what God taught you.

The memories you made overseas are a gift, but the person you become because of those memories is an even greater testimony. Continue walking faithfully with Christ, serve others with humility, and allow your transformed life to become the clearest explanation of your mission experience.