Here and There: Post Reflection: Constructing My Narrative

Written by: Olivia Deeken

How was the trip? How was the vacation? How was the sun? How was the mission trip? You went somewhere right? These are among the top five questions I have been asked since returning from our trip earlier this week. These questions are very politely, or even with genuine interest, asked. I often find myself at a loss for words when asked these questions. Real words. Nine times out of ten I settle with something generic like, "It was great!" "I enjoyed it." "The families were amazing." "The country is beautiful." And nine out of ten people will say something polite in return, smile and nod and go about their day, or move to another subject. The whole process is very natural, superficial and not unexpected. I try not to get too hung up on the nine responses that I just described above. It would be very conceited of me to think that everyone should reserve some portion of their limited time and energy they expend on the hustle and bustle of their own lives for an impassioned, interested, and genuine conversation about my trip, what we did, the people we got to know, or the living conditions we witnessed.

So, instead, I'm choosing (trying anyway) to focus on the one out of ten who have a moment to ask a second question or a third or to see pictures. I'm thankful for them.

In school, we learned about Narrative Theory which proposes that our lives - or at least how we view them - are formed through the stories we tell others about our own experiences. In a very simplified way, solutions in the narrative approach start with shifting gears from problem-centered stories to ones that demonstrate more resilience or strength. I'm thankful for those people who ask more questions and who listen longer, because they give me an opportunity to form my narrative about this most recent trip to Guatemala - my real story.

I could tell a story about the sunburns, the traveler's stomach, fatigue, motion sickness, self-conscious, and language barriers. All of these elements appeared in some way shape or form throughout our trip. It would be a true story, but it's certainly not the whole story. The tenth person gives me an opportunity to talk about Doña Toñita and her daughter. How despite their tough situation, it's significantly better than before they were generously sponsored and received regular supplies of food.

Doña Toñita and her daughter Adelina receiving monthly food items from their sponsored family in the US.

I get to talk about the excitement of kids and families at a giant Christmas celebration that had been widely anticipated for months.

I get to talk about the excitement a single mom has when talking about her new stove that she had specially decorated with colored tiles.

I get to talk about carrying my second sheep down a second hill for no other reason other than I thoroughly enjoy it and think it is cool.

Tom's (sponsored family's gift) sheep delivery to Don Alberto. The sheep pee'd on Olivia.

I get to talk about the incredible collaboration between two very different teams who are constantly striving for improvement and balance between caring for themselves while doing the hard work of caring for others.

I get to talk about the deeply spiritual impact of witnessing the natural and amazing beauty of the land.

Project Humanitarian Efforts Lifting the Lives of Others team travelers for 2018.

I get to talk about the much needed slap of humbleness I receive through each humanitarian trip.

A token of appreciation by one of the families. The note read, "This plant is for the other white girl."

A true miracle in motion: Olivia cooking.

It's hard to put words to such profound and not-yet-fully-processed experiences. So I'm thankful for that tenth person who gives me the opportunity to find the words, to mold my story - the detail rich, emotion packed, imperfect, sad, joyful and amazing story that it is. That is the story I want in my life narrative. That's the story I want to remember and share with others. So thanks. Thanks to all ten people for asking the first question, and special thanks to the tenth person for asking the second.

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Favorite Moments and Photographs

By: Olivia Deeken