We had a great time yesterday evening with our cohorts on the Brasil Team — Brian, Betty, Kent, Candy, Steven — and found the food at Oakwood Bistro to be delicious and the coffee at Water Street Coffee Joint to be hot (this excludes any iced coffee factoring).  

As we met, discussed, processed, and laughed, I found it to be a little easier to articulate some take aways following our 12 day mission trip.  

1) The whole experience doesn’t yet fit into my life flow.  Candy remarked that it almost feels like we never even took the trip.  I agree.  I assumed that the Brasil mission would have an instantly tangible influence in different areas of my life — perception, relationship, ministry — but it hasn’t, at least not in a way I can easily see.  Oh, I’m sure it has affected me, but I’m still not sure how.  Imagine a room where you keep a file of all your experiences, and, instead of the Brasil folder being in the flow with the rest, it has its own box over in the corner.  I’ll get to it later.   

2) Now that I’ve been on an international mission trip (finally, praise God), I can ask better questions of other people who have been on a trip.  I used to say “So, how was the trip (generally speaking, and let’s get this part done)?”  Now, I say “So — you were in Mexico for 3 weeks — what did that do to you?”

3) You know how when a Missionary comes to your church and begins the slide show with a greeting in the native tongue of the country they’re serving?  And you know how you kinda mumble it back to them?  And you know how you forget the word 1.2 seconds after you say it?  It’s nice to be on the other end.  

Obrigado!