The Roof on Tuesday afternoon

Wednesday morning pouring concrete

Moving cement the old fashioned way - 1 bucket at a time.

I wanted to write to you friends and families about some of the re-entry process and what it might be like for your family member coming home.  This is not an exhaustive list, and not ever person will feel all of these things, but I thought it might help you to know.

 - They will be incredibly tired.  This has been the busiest of the 3 trips Terry has taken the team on.  Some of that was due to knowing our hosts more and them wanting to give more to us by taking us places etc.  And some of it was due to the combination of VBS and construction.  Lots of sleep will probably be needed.

 - Because of the busy nature of these days, students haven't had much time to think over or "distill" some of the things they have learned and experienced.  This is probably the most important part of the trip, and it may come slowly.  Having them talk over what they saw, experienced, did, felt, learned, going through pictures with you, describing things will be helpful to them.  Encourage them to talk, journal, spend time thinking.

 - The team has been immersed in Mexican culture 24/7 for 12 days straight.  The only English they have heard is from their team members.  Canada/Edmonton will feel strange to them.  Re-entry into the culture they came from is often just as difficult as it was coming into this new culture.  This will take a patient process, for some it will come easier, for some it might be more difficult.

 - Saying goodbye to these people has been hard on the team. I wish we could have each one of you here with us so you could have a snapshot of the relationships and bonds they have built with the Nationals, and if you were here you'd have them too!   These people love deeply, freely and completely generously.  We have laughed so hard together, cried together and prayed together.  Ask them about people they've met and let them tell you stories.



 - Don't be surprised if you hear dis-satisfaction from the team for they way we live as Canadians.  Please do not take this personally.  They've seen a lot and it's changed their perspective.  Each of them needs to find new ways to take their experience and learn from it and live it out in Edmonton.  Things like how much we waste, how much we have.  They've seen humble circumstances and have seen how amazing these people are and how they live despite what they "don't have".  It's likely impacted them.

 - They've developed a very rare yet precious closeness to the mission team. They "get" each other because of their shared experiences.  It will be important that they continue this bond and spend time talking to each other and getting together over the next days and weeks.  They will need each other.

 - And another point fitting with this, we've lived in VERY close quarters for these 12 days.  There were very few moments that the team wasn't sleeping right beside a team member, sitting on a lap or very close in a car (whoa man Traffic and driving is so different here!).  We've shared supplies, food, blankets, snacks, etc.  At first it was a bit hard, but now that's completely normal for them.  So, they might be a little lonely without someone beside them all the time.

 - Some of the kids have some anxiety about coming home.  Not because they don't love you :)  But purely because they've made some changes in their life, or want to, and God has taught them some things that they're wanting to live out at home, but don't know how.  They might be nervous about it, afraid they'll fall back into old patterns.  This could be something you might ask them about.

 - Their clothes will be SO dirty, and because of the amount of rain over extended periods of time, and the lingering humidity some things won't have dried out, so laundry right away will be really good.

 - They haven't had much time to read the blog while we were gone, so they might want to spend time reading at home.

 - They can call us if they need us.  We're in Edmonton for at least a week before we leave on vacation.   We're available!

Christine