by Sierra Persons, 6-month Caribbean IMMERSION team member
For six months, I prepared for an incredible adventure. For another six months, I was on that adventure. Today, I have been home for two weeks, and I am still trying to process what the past six months have held. I can't express to you what Immersion meant for me. There are only twelve other people in the entire world who could possibly understand what I experienced and how I feel about certain things that happened or why I miss certain people so, so much.
The first week of my being home was filled with seeing friends and family, it was filled with the excitement of being home. Now, this week, I have begun to settle in. That means now I am having a bit more culture shock than I originally was. The Caribbean is very different than America, let me tell you! Germs aren't as dangerous as everyone makes them sound: you can wash dishes with cold water and not get sick. Your life doesn't have to be packed every minute of every day; you need to take time to reflect, relax, and invest in your relationship with Jesus and yourself, or you're not going to be able to pour into others. I don't really care what I look like anymore; I don't care as much if my mascara is a little smudged or my hair is a little messy. On top of these "little" culture shocks, I really miss my team and my families on the trip. There were people on my team I relied on to get me through a week or a situation. I needed their support and encouragement and pep talks. I don't have that anymore, and some days (like the past five days) have been really hard without being able to walk to their house, sit on their bed in their host home, and just pour our hearts out to each other.
But besides reflecting on the challenges of being home, I've been reflecting a lot on what I learned, and I actually have a list of 20 things that I learned while on my six month Caribbean Immersion in Haiti, Jamaica, and Belize.
1. I learned to share.
Don't worry, my parents did teach me to share when I was young! But on this trip, I learned to share things I didn't have an unlimited supply of. If I share my granola bars, I can't run to get another box when I'm out. I learned to share my personal space. Taking a shower was the most privacy I got, and even then it wasn't guaranteed.
2. I learned to get along with people.
At home, if I didn't get along with someone, I could always leave or avoid that person (wrong approach). But when you're only living with the same twelve people for six months, you can't avoid anyone! I'm not saying it was always easy—it was very challenging at times, to be honest. But as a team, or as teammates, we would work through it.
3. I learned to be honest.
I came into this trip, hating confrontation; it scared me. It still scares me, but I learned how to confront honestly, lovingly, straight-forward, and gently.
4. I learned to make the most of my time.
To invest in people, help people, build relationships, no matter how long I have with them.
5. I learned the greatest experiences you'll have or the best relationships you'll build, often come from the most unexpected places.
So go climb that mountain...your Haitian grandmother may be up there to teach you something; go fetch the water...you may meet a large family with cool kids who you'll stay in contact with; invest in the woman who can't host anyone...she may remind you of your real mom; don't take a nap...your host mom may want to exchange language lessons and you'll end up having an awesome conversation.
6. I learned to like things I used to dislike and try things I never would have.
I learned to like tomatoes, beans, and slightly spicy food. I tried moto-taxis, washing clothes by hand, and lobster, and loved them all!
7. I learned to get by with the minimum.
I wore my clothes on a five or six day cycle, my showers mainly came from a bucket, and I lived out of a backpack. My families had one or two knives in their kitchen, limited water, and limited electricity. But I loved life there and was still able to live it to the fullest!
8. I learned that Spiritual Warfare is a very real thing.
And I learned it's important to fight against the Enemy. I believe that Satan attacks differently in America. In Central America, people are very spiritual. In America, we're very materialistic. We're attacked, therefore, through those material things including social media, Hollywood, etc., rather than demons. This is my personal belief.
9. I learned how to cook.
Trust me, this needed to happen.
10. I realized there are very few things Americans actually have gotten right.
For example, we set aside ONE HOUR per WEEK, if that, to attend a communal gathering of worship to our God. One hour. In Belize, we attended a total of twelve, or more, hours per week (six services) of church. It was a priority in their lives, and although I couldn't understand the services, I grew closer to Christ by being in His House almost every night.
11. I learned how to take it slow.
Coming home to all the hustle and bustle of American life is wearing me out!
12. I learned that reconciliation of relationships is vital.
Relationships are all you have in this life.
13. I learned that it's not about what you do, it's about how you do it.
Your life doesn't have to be different to be great. You can lead a "normal," "ordinary" life and still make it extraordinary!
14. I learned to be emotionally independent, and not rely on others to tell me how to think or feel.
15. I learned to identify my own weaknesses and make efforts to improve them.
16. I learned that your life should be lived how YOU feel God has called you to live it.
Don't give into the expectations of others.
17. I learned how to balance leadership and friendship.
It's not easy, and you may burn bridges. But God is in control, and the bridges you build are the ones He wants you to have.
18. I learned to love myself.
Myself without my makeup on, without product-filled and styled hair. Myself with a tank top, sports shorts, and sweating like I'm in a sauna. Me. For who I am and for Whose I am.
19. I learned what defines me.
As in what past circumstances, what moments have made me who I am today. I didn't know my twelve teammates before the trip. We only know each other from who we were ON Immersion...not outside. Because of that, I learned to identify what things really play a huge part in who I am or the status of my relationships with others here at home. I've also identified how certain things have affected me, my relationship with myself, and my relationships with others.
20. Lastly, my view of poverty changed completely.
Yes, there are lower levels of poverty than I witnessed on this trip. During my first trip to Haiti, I felt so sorry for the family who lived in the home I saw. I lived in a house very similar to that during my time in Haiti on this trip. I realized they have everything they could need. They are living LIFE. Does their life look different than mine? Yes. But that's not a bad thing. They are glorifying the Lord with how they're living their life, and I need to make sure I'm living my life to glorify the Lord where I am. I didn't see poverty in Haiti, Jamaica, or Belize. I saw life.
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