After being on the field for almost 5 months now, the term “#missionarylife” has become a comical expression used among our community to refer to things that just don’t happen at home, or at least not as often. 

* Not showering every day

* Being stuck in 6 1/2 hours of traffic between Guatemala and Honduras

* Getting packed and ready to change countries within 12 hours notice 

* Waiting on transportation, sometimes 10 hours

* Hearing kid’s say “HELLO!” in their loudest shrill voices

* Picking up a child and then proceeding to pick up 20 more because they want a turn

* Having plans change 2,3, maybe 6 times before something is “certain”

* Determining whether clothing is clean or dirty by smelling it (very similar to American teenage boys actually)

* Using headlamps on strobe to have random dance parties

* Seeing almost 50% of your group get a tattoo

* Wearing long skirts and dresses that proceed to get mud and/or dirt 6 inches from the bottom hem

* Awkward tan lines

* Not shaving your legs for weeks at a time

* Excitement over bucket showers

* Crying at random moments throughout the week

* Laughing at nonsensical foreign concepts that will never be logical to our westernized minds

The fact of the matter is that the life of a missionary isn’t funny business, although it can be the most rewarding. At training camp, we are taught to abandon our comfort zones, expectations, and senses of entitlement. The words, “It’s easier said than done,” have never resonated more with me after actually being on the field for 5 months. Still now I don’t think that I’ve left behind all of my previous comfort zones and expectations, but I’m getting there. This journey is not only within this 9-month mission trip, but rather life at its core. 

Sending all my love, Netty