unearth

by Christy Vidrine, Autumn Rogers

This book recounts the lessons of confusion, peace, struggle, and love within the rich journey that God works in a missional heart. The transition from the mission field back into the Western world is challenging, deep, and unsettling. However, the stories and insights shared by these experienced mission workers will help bring you balance to the vertigo of re-entry and unearth the heart of God as you process the time you spent overseas and explore this new territory, a land with no name.

94 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very helpful. When you come back from serving in a place where you've been slammed in the face with your own privilege it's hard to just go back "home". Likely when you go for a mission trip you are constantly pouring out in a situation where the needs around you are blatantly exuding from the streets. Your role in helping is very important and very clear. The work you're doing feels right, truly like you're called to it. The needs of people around you are simple, real and raw.

Then you go back home. (In my case that's the Pacific NW of the U.S.) Most things are as you left them, but before you even get out of the airport you're disgusted by the complaints you hear around you, and even a little bothered by seeing people come back from their very expensive vacations. You feel somewhat guilty going back to your beautiful home, warm bed, full fridges, computers, clean tapwater, internet, iPhones, TVs, Malls, full closets, restaurants...

Your friends and family that weren't there (despite story's you might tell as well as them being smart and understanding) can't fully appreciate or know what you've left there. Pieces of your heart will always be back, but what now? Surely you don't want to just forget. You don't want to be the person who looks in the mirror then forgets their reflection.

If you've come home feeling slight uneasiness transitioning back, and like there's a whole lot to process from your trip (whether it was a weak or three+ years)this book will be helpful to you.

It will help you transfer that blend of uncertain emotions and thoughts into a heart that seeks to be always missional. It well help you navigate that stirring in your heart into an excited energy to continue to serve those around you, whether you become a full time missionary, or never leave your hometown again.

After running the wild marathon that a mission trip can be, sitting with this book is like sitting on a comfy couch with a good meal and a friend who is an experienced runner, ice on your thighs, discussing what it would look like to keep training for the next race.

[Deana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and profound. “After seeing people without shoes or families sleeping five to a bed, how will you live differently? There is a balance between the humility of scarcity and the peace within excess.”

There does seem to be a very slight misquotation of
The Paradoxical Commandments at the end of the book that are reported to be on the wall of Mother Theresa’s home for children in Calcutta. Look it up if you are interested!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book to read over after going on a short-term mission trip to the Dominican Republic. I wish I had taken the time to finish this short read after going each time. It's a great summation of how to adjust back to being in our "real world" after having spent time in a different place for any amount of time on a mission trip. The author provides some great questions that are helpful to mull over and journal through in processing the transitional period after returning from doing mission work. This is a book I'll definitely hang on to and read if I do any more mission trips in the future!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book at the end of our mission trip to Haiti. A very good book to read and think over as you end a mission trip and settle back into your own culture. Great questions to make you think about what is important. Love well. "We must be ever renewed by Him if we are going to love others well." "There is no way to love authentically without getting messy..And messes will surely erupt as broken people collide in their pursuit to be like Christ." Love this quote as we are often told by our pastor that our church is a beautifully messy.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice very short book. I wish I'd read it right after I got back from my first short team mission trip but it was a good reminder that just because I'm not "on the mission field" it doesn't mean I'm not on the mission field. It's nice to know the emotions one feels in reentry and beyond are felt in turn by others.