Back Home, Now What?

You returned …

Your feet are once again on U.S. soil. You are filled with conflicting emotions—excitement to be home, impatience to share your summer missions experience, pain of leaving close national friends, frustration of not being able to fully communicate your feelings and memories. Before you get caught up in the grind of daily living …

Take a moment to reflect.

Get away.

Sit still.

Think about your summer.

• What do you think God wanted you to learn this summer? Is it different from what you expected to learn?
• What did you see God doing in the country where you worked or in the lives of the people with whom you served?
• How will you integrate a global perspective into your daily prayer life?
• What was the highlight of your summer?
• What was the low point?
• Remember your goals for the trip—did you meet them?
• How will you practically incorporate what you have learned this summer into your daily walk with Jesus Christ?
• Is God calling you to full-time international ministry?

Share what you know.

You know what the Holy Spirit accomplished in your life this summer. You know what God has done in the lives of the people with whom you worked. You know another culture, another people, another nation. You are the only one who can communicate with others what you now know. God hasn't given you a spirit of timidity—allow others to see what God has done.

MOBILIZE

• Become an advocate for missions on your college campus.
• Share your experience with campus ministry groups.
• Write an article for the campus newspaper.
• Speak during a worship service, challenging others to serve internationally.
• Spend time with the international students on your campus or in your community.
• Become a prayer warrior for an unreached people group.
• Make your mission trip become a missions lifestyle.
• Pray about serving as a journeyman for two years.