I’m Ready For Home, But I Don’t Want To Leave

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“I’m ready to go home, but I don’t want to leave Xenacoj.”

These were my words yesterday afternoon as I sat and watched our teens conduct the last day of the sports/VBS program at the escuela (school) on the hill.

I can’t wait to see my wife and my son.  I can’t wait to sleep in a bed – my own bed.  I can’t wait to take a warm shower.  I can’t wait to drive on flat, paved roads.  I can’t wait to eat American food.  I can’t wait to use a bathroom in the U.S.A. (there is a difference).  I can’t wait to tell others the story of my trip.  I’m ready to go home!

But I don’t want to leave!  Xenacoj has been life changing.  The people have shown me that there is so much more to life than we Americans are used to.  So many of these people have literally nothing.  Everything they have has is used and has a use.  We have so much that we never even use everything we have.  We have it just to have it.

In Xenacoj, it’s easy to share our faith; yet at home, it’s easy to hide our faith “under a bushel”.  I can navigate the town of ~8,000.  And I feel safe and welcomed.  I can walk up to anyone and ask them if I can pray for them (with the help of a translator). 

I also see that there is so much more than we could do to help these people.  The last three days, we spent time installing stoves in homes.  These stoves alone will help divert the smoke that typically fills the rooms and lungs of the women who cook over open flames.  We could do so many more projects like this that would help extend the life of these beautiful people.

I have also enjoyed hanging out with these kids – these students.  Each of them has a unique story to tell.  I know I’ll see them at church on Sunday, but it won’t be quite the same as seeing them 24 hours a day seven days a week.  They have been inspiring.  This generation clearly has what it takes to change the world for good.

Today, we head out to see some Mayan ruins and then into Antigua.  Tomorrow at this time, we’ll be on the plane from Guatemala City to Houston en route to our final destination – home.

I’m ready to go home, but I don’t want to leave.  I hope I can come back some day.

Have you ever felt this way – that you were ready for home, but you didn’t want to leave?

Related posts:

  1. This Is Home – Now I’m Finally Where I Belong
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  3. Ready, Aim, Fire – Our “Little” Girl Heads to Middle School
  4. Reflect More, Risk More, Leave A Legacy – Start Blogging
  5. Repost: This Is Home – Now I’m Finally Where I Belong
  • http://www.tnealtarver.wordpress.com TNeal

    Jon, welcome to the club of the divided heart, that moment when you want to be and love both here and there. I noticed I had this heart condition while in Russia then after leaving it. And it’s not simply the place (Russia or the U. S.). It’s the people. You have friends and loved ones everywhere. And they are the ones you miss. Sounds like you’ve discovered the beauty and the heartache of short-term missions.

    • http://jonstolpe.com/ Jon Stolpe

      Tom, I think you’re right!  I’m already scheming about how I can make it back to Xenacoj.

  • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

    Every year after the Cornerstone Music Festival ended. There’s something magical that happened. The friendships, the community, the music. But you knew it was time to go home, back to the real world and real showers.

    • http://jonstolpe.com/ Jon Stolpe

      Joe, wasn’t this the last year for Cornerstone?  I’m sure that’s sad for many who made this a tradition over the past decades.  Maybe you should consider coming out to Creation in Mount Union, PA!  I haven’t been in years, but it was a pretty neat experience the last time I went.

      • http://www.jmlalonde.com Joe Lalonde

        It was the last year for Cornerstone. I’m pretty bummed that I missed it but life goes on. So many great memories were made there.

        Creation Fest is still going on? I’d always thought about going to it but with Cornerstone much closer it never happened. Might have to head to Creation one of these years.