Bridge The Gap: A Global Year Podcast
"The Global Year Podcast explores stories of faith, adventure, and cultural immersion through the lens of gap year missions. Join us as we bridge the gap between ordinary life and extraordinary global experiences, empowering young people to follow Jesus and make a difference around the world."
Bridge The Gap: A Global Year Podcast
Finding Faith Abroad: Chloe's Journey Through a Transformative Gap Year in Italy
Ever wondered if taking a gap year could be more than just a break from education? Join us for a compelling conversation with Chloe Earle, who shares her story of choosing a gap year in Italy over the traditional path to college. Chloe, the youngest of five siblings from a Christian family in Georgia, had the rare freedom to explore her personal interests, thanks to her supportive upbringing. Through her journey with Global Year, we uncover the layers of societal expectations versus the liberating power of pursuing one's unique path.
Our discussion with Chloe shines a light on the often-unseen challenges and growth opportunities that come with embarking on a global mission. From raising the necessary support to managing the expectations that come with being a missionary, Chloe opens up about the realities of such experiences. She candidly discusses the internal and external challenges faced when returning home, emphasizing the importance of grounding one's identity in faith rather than external validation. Chloe's insights serve as a gentle reminder of the profound impact of aligning personal goals with spiritual callings.
For those considering a gap year or similar adventure, Chloe offers invaluable advice on embracing uncertainty and being open to growth. We explore the significance of intentional spiritual practices amidst the demanding pace of American life, and the importance of cultural immersion through language learning. Chloe's journey invites listeners to consider the lasting imprint such experiences can have on one's life, making a case for the eternal impact of stepping off the beaten path. Whether you're on the brink of a major life decision or simply curious about the transformative power of a year abroad, Chloe's story is sure to inspire and enlighten.
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- Website: https://www.globalyear.org
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- Email: info@globalyear.org
Hey guys, welcome to the Bridge the Gap podcast, where we connect faith and life on a global scale, offering real conversations about living authentically and purposefully in today's interconnected world. Join us as we explore practical ways to follow Jesus and bridge the gap between the sacred and the everyday across cultures and continents. All right, here we are, episode two of Bridge the Gap. Yeah, I know, look at that. That's cool. And we're here with Chloe Earle. Chloe spent last year. Was it last year?
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Okay, last year in Italy, and so she's here with us. She's gonna share her story a little bit. So why don't you just let's just with us? She's going to share her story a little bit, so why don't you just let's just start off? Why don't you just give us a little bit about you, your background, where you're from, that kind of stuff.
Speaker 4:Yeah, so I went to Italy on the 2023-2024 gap year and, um, I I'm from Georgia and I'm 19 years old. I graduated from high school and then took the summer and went straight on my global year. Um, but, uh, I grown up in a Christian home and, uh, surrounded by family and friends, and, um, I have four siblings. My brother, actually, caleb, is the field leader in Italy, so I got to spend time with him And-.
Speaker 1:Where are you in the order of your siblings? I'm the youngest. Okay, that's all right.
Speaker 4:Yep, the youngest and the baby, but yeah.
Speaker 1:What was that like? Being the baby um?
Speaker 4:but yeah, what was that like being the baby? Oh, it was good. I feel like it had its perks in its way yeah, yeah but also um, there's also the the downfalls of it, like getting the hammy downs and all that, but I mean for the most part it was good.
Speaker 1:I got spoiled a lot, I was gonna say yeah, yeah, I feel like being the baby is you, do you get spoiled and you get disciplined the least? Yeah, exactly as a part of being the baby.
Speaker 4:Especially like with older siblings. Like Caleb was always like we would like I'd be getting in trouble or something for like drawing on the walls the crayon or something. And he'd come home and mom would be like getting onto me or something. And Caleb would be like, what are you doing? Why are you getting onto her? And he'd be like don't do that. And he'd be like, come on, chloe, and like give me candy or something.
Speaker 4:Like he was, I was spoiled like I feel like I was spoiled more by my older brother than anybody that's awesome yeah, it was super sweet.
Speaker 1:So tell us a little bit like you graduated high school, um, what was it like? Like trying to figure out what, what was next? Did you feel pressure to go to college or like kind of the social thing? Or or did you grow up with not? Cause, like the way I grew up, we didn't. I feel like we were never pressured to go to school, but some people were. What was your experience like?
Speaker 4:Um, for my parents, I never really had like a pressure of going to school after, um, like high school, because, I mean, all my siblings went to school, but for me they kind of just wanted me to do something that interests me and go on my own path of what the Lord was calling me to do. And whether that was going to school or if that was going on a global year, if that was just staying and working or you know, whatever it was, they were supportive in that and they really did a great job of like making that known. Like I always felt I never felt pressured to like go to, like I had to go to college or I had to go this one route, but they really supported me in whatever I did. So it was really great and I got to like make my own decision on going on a global year.
Speaker 1:So that's awesome. Yeah, it's really cool. Yeah, did you I can't remember if we talked about, did you feel like pressure? I mean, you went to college, I know that, but was that like expected um, I don't think for my parents it was.
Speaker 3:they just said that I had to do something. So whether that was kind of like what you said working or going to school or something else but I feel like in my high school it felt pressured because colleges would, even starting in 11th grade, they were like, okay, the SAT, act are the most important tests you're going to take.
Speaker 3:If you want to get into college, you have to pass these and, like we would get out of class to do like college prep type stuff, and so it seemed like that was the only option yeah and so I was like, okay, well, I'm just gonna go to college, even though I had no clue like what I want to go for. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:I think a lot of the our listeners are people who are considering a gap year or not, like I feel. Like just culturally and socially people feel that pressure you know, and we talked about it last time with with Sydney but I think people just in general feel a sense of like there's an expectation, and I think that's shifting.
Speaker 1:I don't know how, like how you read that with like I'm a little older, so it's like I I'm not. I don't have my finger like super on the pulse of like, but I see it enough to where it's like, um, even with, uh, just the money thing, you, you know you see, it there. Like people you know have a hard time with, sometimes with the cost of like what a gap year would cost, but like have no problem paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to go to school.
Speaker 1:So you can just see the contrast of, like the expectation and the pressure. So but I think that's great that your, your family, kind of just championed whatever it was that you wanted yeah, um, I felt that a lot too growing up, just like kind of like yeah, whatever you want to do, we got you, you know, and I think that's that's cool, like with, especially if you have some guidance too, and it's not like whatever you want to do but you have nobody to like really lean into Cause.
Speaker 1:you know we see that too and that can get like reckless.
Speaker 1:but it's nice when you have support, you know, for whatever dream you want to pursue. But also because obviously we know, like college is not the only, it's not the only option, and I think a part of us doing this is like we want students to know there are other options. So for you, like, what was the process like of deciding, like a gap year or taking a year off, was was for you, and how did you like land on on doing that? And then, I guess too, with global year, because and then this may be an obvious answer for you but there are other options, you know, when it comes to gap year programs.
Speaker 1:So what was that process like in deciding? And, yeah, like how did God lead you to that?
Speaker 4:Yeah. So I think in high school I knew that I didn't wanna go to college already. So I was like, well, I'm not doing that. And so like what's something? And I wanted to be a flight attendant for the longest time since like ninth grade. So I was like, well, what's something that I can like be intentional about my time and like spending that time while like being at a high school, but like waiting to be a flight attendant because I had to be like 20 or 21 to apply, but like waiting to be a flight tenant because I had to be like 20 or 21 to apply, which is not really the route that I want to go anymore. But at the time and through my global year, that was really what I wanted to do. And so, like I feel like I was like looking into things.
Speaker 4:And my brother, caleb, is the field director in Italy with Global Year, and so when he moved to Italy and was like I was like, oh, he's moving to Italy, like he got a job with ministry, but I didn't even know what he was doing there. You know, like I didn't even know he was doing a gap year program, like leading students or anything, and I started looking into like doing a gap year because some of my friends in high school were going to Impact 360. The students, like some of my friends that were like a year older than me and I looked into doing Impact 360, but I like, the more I looked into it, I just realized I was like, okay, this is a great program but it's not really what I want to. It's not really what is what I kind of want to do, because I wanted to be more hands-on and more like in-country and doing more um and that in that way, and so, um, then I talked more.
Speaker 4:My dad was like, hey, like looking into the gap here, like you should. Just, you see what caleb's doing, you know. And I was like, what do you? What do you mean?
Speaker 4:what caleb's doing and he was like, oh yeah, he's doing like he's got some students over there, and I was like, oh yeah, I guess, yeah, I should look into that. And so, um, I talked to Caleb about it and he was like he kind of told me about it and he was like you know, I'd love for you to come to Italy, but I want you to pray about all the different locations and like wherever you feel like the Lord's calling you, like once you like discern that. And I had already been to Italy for a camp and had already kind of gotten a taste of what the ministry was like there in a way and knew some people, and so I mean I kept praying about it and I felt really led to go to Italy and that was through Global Year. So that's how I heard about Global Year was through my brother, but yeah, that's how I got in yeah intertwined with global year and my doing that so, totally so.
Speaker 1:What for for the people listening, like students, who are considering this like what, what would? What was maybe a challenge that you faced, like post deciding to go like because obviously there's some like preparation, financially raising, support, whatever.
Speaker 4:What was some of the challenges that you faced in that that short season, whether it was like support raising, training, whatever um, for me it there was definitely the support raising part um, and there's other parts too that I can talk about, but that the support raising really made me anxious because of how much it was. But I was like, you know, if I'm really supposed to go on this global year, if it's really what God like has and um, like what he wants to, the way he wants to form me and the way he the impact, if I'm gonna make an impact there, like he'll make it happen and if he wants me there, he'll make it happen. And through the fundraising process, like I kind of like I was like, oh, like this isn't gonna happen.
Speaker 4:Like there's no way I'm gonna raise this money Like. But then, over and over, like God kept showing me, like you need to stop doubting me because like this I'm going to, I'm going to provide for you. You know, and there was this one time where, like I needed, like this certain amount to cause sometimes they like break it up into monthly things and so I needed a certain amount to like make the monthly, like budgeting and the amount that I needed. We were selling my camper, our camper, and he had it. I think my dad had it for like maybe lower, and the guy offered it for like the exact amount that I needed for my, for my fundraising, and I was like, and I literally was at church that night, I was at youth and, um, I kind of just went off.
Speaker 4:I called my dad and he was like hey, like trying to get this sold, but like just pray, that it's like working out, and so, like I was sitting over there and I was like praying, I was like and I was just there, so much. And then one of my friends came over and a leader from the church they were coming over. They were like hey, are you good? And I was like yeah, I'm just like super stressed about like this fundraising, like it's really stressing me out. Recently and one of my friends prayed over it and then my dad called me like after, like literally like right after, and was like hey, we sold it for like the exact amount you needed and I was like yeah, it was like dang like yeah it was just like mind-blowing
Speaker 1:like I think we have like and we talk about this all the time. I feel like almost every single person who does a gap year has a story like that like I mean, I have the story where a lady got a check from you know her. It was like a tax refund or something, and it was the exact amount I needed, you know yeah I'm sure, leah, you have the story too you know, so it's like everybody did you know?
Speaker 1:yeah, I'm sure, leah, you have the story too, you know. So it's like everybody seems it's like just the faithfulness and the provision of god, like when he calls you to do something, um, he's gonna provide you know, it seems like a sure thing, like I don't know.
Speaker 1:It's crazy to say that sometimes, but it's like it just feels like it happens over and over and over. You know where it's. It's not just like someone gave me 10 bucks, it's like, no, like this crazy amount, the exact amount I needed, or whatever. It's just like stories, hundreds of stories like that you know, so that's awesome. Yeah. I'm going to cut right here for a second and check this camera. Okay, cut.
Speaker 4:I heard it shut off. Did it shut off?
Speaker 1:I don't know if it like. Do you know if maybe it's full or something? I don't know it's recording. It's recording Action. You wanna ask like uh.
Speaker 3:I can ask Chloe a question. Yeah, yeah, let's see where are we at?
Speaker 1:what are we just talking about? Like the support race?
Speaker 3:yeah, we're talking about like challenges before beforehand did you want to talk about any other challenges or just sure, yeah, I'll talk about.
Speaker 1:Well, I guess I don't know, that's fine if you, if you, you have like something else you had in mind. Yeah, I'll do that. And then when she's done, because I was like I don't want to be me be asking that, not that, whatever, so I'll let you, like I was going to like write our initials beside questions and I'm like, oh, whatever, we'll go to like what did God teach you during your time that you didn't expect?
Speaker 3:Okay, I'll ask that when she's done. Yeah, so whenever you're like, can you?
Speaker 1:wrap this part and then we'll kind of move into, like your, the actual experience on the ground in Italy. Okay, go.
Speaker 4:Um, but some other ways I feel like that were a little bit hard for me. Preparing for my year, like what the process was of fundraising we just talked about that but also before going on my global year, I just felt was inadequate, if that makes sense, totally Like I grew up in the church, so I know all these things, but I was like you know, I feel like I don't really have like a super strong relationship or just like the fear of like comparison, like I was like I'm just going to get there and just mainly at training. I was like you know these people, they know so much more than me, they have experienced more than me, they've you know, like they know the answers. But I was just like looking at it like this, like requirement of like what I was supposed to.
Speaker 4:You know, like be, was supposed to be and I just really fought with that. I was like, okay, well, why am I going on this If I'm not even good enough to go? What do I have to offer? And I really struggled that, especially when I first got to training and we were all in a classroom. And I'm struggling with this comparison of like like, comparison of like.
Speaker 4:Yeah, like I talked to you through, that you and Sydney, like I talked to y'all a lot about that because, in a way, I was like I just I was. I already had this like pre-consumption that everybody there was already ahead of me and which wasn't the case like I didn't. I didn't need to compare myself to know that God had me there for a reason and he was preparing me, even if I wasn't in the same place as everybody else. It's not just about having the answers and knowing everything, but that God was going to form me and he was going to grow me in all these ways too.
Speaker 1:Like.
Speaker 4:I was just looking at it as like I need to go into this, I need to have all the answers, I need to know what to say in every moment, I need to like blah, blah, blah, check off all these things before I'm able to be considered a missionary. Wow, yeah.
Speaker 4:But it was like that's not true, like I have so much to offer just because I have, I have Christ within me, and so, yeah, that was another thing that I struggled with as well was just I think it's good for people to hear yeah, like that, it's not like.
Speaker 1:I think that it's okay to feel inadequate's okay to like, feel like you don't measure up, because the truth is, the only requirement is that you show up yeah, you know like that. You're faithful to show up and do what God's called you to do and um because we're we're all gonna feel at times inadequate yeah, we're gonna feel like less than we're gonna compare ourselves. Um, hopefully we don't, but we all find ourselves in that spot. But to, to be able to, to resort back to the truth which is like, not like we are.
Speaker 1:We are qualified because what jesus did for us, not because what we've done for ourselves.
Speaker 3:So yeah, that's good to. I feel like I struggled with that same thing too, like thinking in my head that, like being a missionary, like you had to meet all these requirements and like be so knowledgeable and know all these things. And then when I went overseas, I was like, oh, like, these are just normal people that are just living in a different country, that just got called over here to do ministry. Over here, like're not, they're just being obedient yeah, yeah, totally, yeah yeah okay, what?
Speaker 3:um? So now we'll move to your experience. Being in it that you did not expect Probably a lot of things, yeah. First, what was?
Speaker 1:just not to back up too far and then jump forward. But I'm curious what was your expectation?
Speaker 4:My expectations.
Speaker 1:What was your expectation of what God was gonna teach you before your preconceived thing?
Speaker 4:I think, going into that also relating to what I just said about like meeting all the requirements, I was like okay, well, when I get on my global year and I come back home like I'll be like set you know, like I'll know everything.
Speaker 4:I'll have the answers then, like you know. And so I feel like, in a way, I kind of went into my global year with a lot of expectations and that took away from a lot of the experiences from my global year, because I had so many expectations already and I wish I didn't. I wish I went into it and was like okay, whatever you know, whatever this looks like, whatever this is gonna be like, okay, whatever you know whatever this looks like.
Speaker 4:Whatever this is going to be like, I'm just going to let it be and let the Lord get the glory for what it is. And but yeah, I feel like I did go into it with a lot of expectations of like this is going to make, this is going to like, this is going make. This is gonna like. This is gonna make me better, this is gonna make me like more I don't know how to say it, but like people are gonna look up to me after this or in a way you know, kind of prideful. In a way it's like.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like people are gonna admire, you.
Speaker 4:Yeah, yeah, sure, yeah, way it's like um, yeah, like people are gonna admire you, yeah, and that yeah, sure, yeah, um, but some ways, like I don't know if I'm answering this right, but um no it's fine uh, but I feel like going into it some expectations like I'm curious hit on, hit on that a little bit like the expectation, like you know that you're gonna go back home and people are gonna like admire, like you know what I mean.
Speaker 1:Like, because I feel like we all, I don't know I felt that same thing. Like, yeah, people, it's almost like you. You get in your head like you go to italy and people are gonna be thinking about you for nine months yeah and then when you come back, they're thinking about and I don't think that's like a unique thing, like I think everybody feels that.
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And then you realize, like you get back and you're like, oh crap, like nobody, I mean, there's a select few people that have been praying for you, but like People.
Speaker 3:Nobody asks you about your experience.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, there's a small amount of people that are praying for you, that are championing you, but sometimes we get this idea that people are going to just be thinking about us the whole time we're gone. And I say that because I think this is what you're getting at. I think you can get let down by the fact that people don't feel that way about you, or even and I think we've talked about this, you know with specific people who have just said like I thought you were going to be different.
Speaker 3:I thought you were going to be changed you know, and I think that that can weigh heavy, like because of the, the expectation we have yeah, yeah, but I think it's hard to because a lot of people don't understand, like, why you're exactly going over for sure there, and so they don't really know what to expect when you get back.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I think that's where I think this would help. People too that are going, that have decided to go, is like to kind of lower the expectation of like what people feel about you, you know. Again going back to like hey, this is what god feels about me and if you want to help, ultimately, your identity and security.
Speaker 1:It's ultimately just focusing in on that thing. Like this is the truth of what god feels about me, regardless of what other people feel, because, yeah, we get our expectations up about it and I just see that all the time. I mean we have these conversations like debrief all the time, like hey, you're going to go back into the, you're about to step back into the world and you're going to realize like you may be let down by like people not reaching out to you, you know. So I think that's a.
Speaker 1:I didn't want to skip over that Cause I think that's like a real thing for a lot of people that that go and then it's like this false expectation of of what they're going to find when they come back and um and I think it's why it's so important to just ground ourselves now, while you're there and after, and the truth of the way god feels about you, the fact that you know what you take away from the experience, is so much more than just what people see, you know and what people um because people don't. People don't see most of what God does in your heart.
Speaker 4:Yeah, like I think, coming back it was like I was like I've also just been trying to process the whole year Like it's a hard thing to like. Process nine months. Yeah.
Speaker 4:And especially in ministry, like when you're doing so much every day and I think, like coming back and not especially leaving your team that you're over there with. It's kind of hard to like when people don't ask about your year or like those things or like that. It's like you don't really, you don't really get the chance to talk about it or like debrief, I guess, because like they don't know what you went through the past nine months.
Speaker 4:They don't. They don't see how you've changed. And while you're trying to figure out the ways that God has shaped you because I know it was hard for me to see the way that I had changed or the things that I grew in on my global year and just like trying to figure out those things when somebody says like, or you come back, somebody's like oh, I haven't really seen a change in you. You know that's a hard thing.
Speaker 4:That's hard, you're like wait, but I did change in so many ways, and it's like in those moments is where, like I really just have to trust God and know that that what I experienced in my walk with Him, like my day-to-day walk with Him, what I experienced with the Lord over my global years, is not something that I'm ever going to be able to explain to other people in the way that I experienced it.
Speaker 4:I'm never going to be able to convince like I can to a certain extent, but you know that heart changes between me and the Lord and that's all that matters. I don't have to prove that to other people right to, to make them accept me more or to validate that my year made a difference yeah, it's like that's no, that's like, that's like a low, that's like, yeah, it's like what's the what's the point of that?
Speaker 1:it's not helpful, you know, and it doesn't, but I just I didn't want to skip over that, cause I think that's like a, that's a real experience for so many people. Yeah. Like we, we talk about it all the time and we hear it Like we hear it where, where people are like, yeah, like I expected people to, kind of I don't know.
Speaker 3:I, I don't know. I mean, I had that experience, you know. Yeah, I had it like most recently when I was visiting my mom in North Carolina. I was hanging out with my two closest friends from high school who I hadn't seen so long, and I was asking them questions about like things that were new in their life, like their new job and going to school, and they didn't want to ask me like about my experience like overseas or like what the Lord had taught me or anything like that. I remember getting in the car with my mom and I'm like these are my two closest friends and they didn't care about anything like that had just happened to me over the past year.
Speaker 3:Yeah. I know that you have shared something similar to that too, like having close people not ask you. Oh, for sure, yeah.
Speaker 1:I mean I had, I had a lot of that. I mean my like it's interesting because my year is, you know, 12 years ago, however long it was. But it, like it did, it ended kind of in a disappointing way you know like I got sent home.
Speaker 1:So it was like I don't almost had like the reverse of like expectation, you know and I. But I think it just goes to show like what expectations do, Like they just put a thought in your head that may not be true. Like I came back kind of expecting to be like scolded because, like all these people supported me, and then I was like, oh, they're going you know like, because I just had I had a like a difficult experience like it ended, ended rough so like.
Speaker 1:But I I was met with like actually like a lot of love, you know um. But yeah, I mean I I think it's just not. I think it's important not to put a whole lot of expectations on it not to not that you can't expect, like you know, god to move and to do what he does, but not on ourselves or other people, because we're going to be let down.
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 1:I think God is the only one we can really trust to put expectations on. But back to Leah's question, because I think this is important but is there anything that God did teach you during your time there that you didn't necessarily expect?
Speaker 4:like, um yeah um, I think a big thing that he taught me in my like first weeks of being there was that coming from a culture that is like just, I mean I was in church on Sundays, I was on small group Sunday nights, I was at youth on Wednesdays, I was meeting outside of that with Bible study groups like coming from being surrounded by like all of those things like especially here in the south like the bible belt is what people call it like like being surrounded by that and then going to a different country and god, like spending time with God will look so different and like I was like, oh, like I've really been just used to like you know that time being available for me and just like it being way easier to feel connected to the Lord because I had so many outlets of like being able to go to a worship night like, or just go to small group and like connect in so many ways.
Speaker 4:And so when I went to Italy, I feel like I really got confronted of like, oh, like this is really like I'm taking this on my own now Like how do I? It's like I was just like having a hard time connecting with the Lord because I was like, I felt like I was putting my, I was like putting my connection with the Lord in those things like through, like Sunday, or going to church on Sunday, going to small group, like being on my global year. It was like, oh, now you really have to figure out what this personal relationship looks like.
Speaker 4:Like what this time looks like for you, because you don't like it's really just on your own. And so I felt like God was really teaching me to be more dependent on him in that area of like and also just like desiring to spend more time with him and and even though cause it just felt like a chore almost for a little bit. So I was like, okay, I'm not used to doing it this way, I'm not used to encountering the Lord just through a simple Bible study and just silence, and that wasn't something that I was used to.
Speaker 1:And yeah, it was just so different. That's cool.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I didn't expect that going Cause I was like, oh yeah, it was just so different. But yeah, I didn't expect that going Cause. I was like, oh yeah, I experienced the Lord.
Speaker 1:Like.
Speaker 4:I feel like I'm. You know, I experienced his presence all the time. But when you get, when all of that other stuff gets stripped away and you're just left with just you and the Lord, it's like how precious is that time to you and how are you spending it. Yeah.
Speaker 1:I think that's like it just shows what God will do when you give him undivided attention, like silence and solitude and Sabbath. Those are the things that, yeah, I think it's like. Those are the things that like, yeah, I think are just it's unbelievable, like how we can experience God here in the busyness of the Western culture not that Italy's not Western, but when you're giving your time and energy and you're putting it into similar things that you do here. But it's like much more intentional. Yeah.
Speaker 1:It's like you just see God doing the work in your own heart and shaping you and molding you and forming you in different ways and I feel like that's like the whole, like the main purpose of the experience you know, is to find that and that's why we send like cause a lot of people go thinking like, oh, I'm gonna go, I'm gonna do all this mission work, I'm gonna go, I'm gonna do this mission work.
Speaker 1:When it impacts the community and you know, see people get saved, which totally can happen, and those are like really good things. But I think I feel like the main purpose of this experience is really like what happens in your heart you know like God will use you and he'll do things through you, but a lot of it is to form you, you know yeah and to shape you one thing. I was gonna. Well, you might be going here.
Speaker 1:But I was gonna say like, because before we started recording we even talked about one of the practices that you had and kind of like habits you built. There was sabbath and how that you know I was just gonna ask about the sound, yeah and how I mean it was cool because you, you mentioned something before we started that I thought was like really interesting. But how? Like? How's that translated? Like you built this habit and then you come back.
Speaker 1:I think this is an amazing habit. How is that translated from there with the intentionality to now being here in American culture and still trying to continue that habit? But you're facing like challenges with it. Like what has that been like?
Speaker 4:Yeah, starting out Sabbath.
Speaker 4:In Italy, I mean, sabbath is never like I feel, like it's not even really brought up in the church, a lot like just taking Sabbath and resting because of the American culture, of how we're just kind of like go, go, go even in the church, but so that was like the first time I had ever really like been introduced to it, and my Sabbath there was like something that I looked forward to every week, just because it was not only just rest, but it was time that I could reconnect with the Lord and it really meant a lot.
Speaker 4:It meant a lot to me and I probably at first I was like, okay, I don't even know what to do with this time, like I kind of didn't spend it intentionally. But the more like we got to studying about like why we take sabbath, like, um, like it really it changed a lot and um. But coming back, like it's been so difficult to find time to rest and it's just been like, and especially like even just being here, like in canton, like starting my internship, like I have my internship and then, um, like I have my work schedule.
Speaker 4:So I'm like, okay, I don't know where to find time to rest.
Speaker 1:Yeah, um, just because it is like the pace of life here is so much faster and um you can feel it, you can fill the time like it's crazy, like there's always something to do or something to be done yeah, and I think you got to carry that intentionality back into your everyday life here yeah, it's just like a part of it, you know.
Speaker 1:But it's like you do I. I asked you because it's like I. There's a contrast between like that intentionality of like taking a year, like you know what you're focusing on. But the goal of it is not just to be like, okay, I'm gonna do this year and then I'm gonna. You know, it's like no, I'm gonna like give god my attention to form me and change me and then apply that you know, and so like, but people knowing like those challenges exist like it's like you're gonna come back and just be like oh yeah, everything's great.
Speaker 1:Now I'm gonna keep, I'm gonna serve god and be a missionary in america. You know, it's like sometimes it just it's, it doesn't. It's not like that. I don't. I don't know some people do. I'm not saying that.
Speaker 4:That can't be your experience I'm just saying like there are, there are challenges I feel like the hardest part about a global year is like coming back.
Speaker 3:It's like that's the hardest part about a whole global year is coming back to the states, then that's pretty awesome though it is true, though it's just like transitioning I've been telling people that I finally have felt like I'm transitioned, like back to living at home, like a community and like schedule, and I've been trying to re-implement the Sabbath like Sabbath and like one day where I don't have to do anything was kind of like what Chloe said it's so hard, but also I feel like things here are so urgent yeah whereas, like when I was in Italy or Southeastia, I feel like it was a lot more like honored yeah like oh well, you can just do it another time like it's not a big deal, but here it's like oh well, I need you to do this for me right now, yeah and I'm like, oh, okay yeah, is it?
Speaker 1:yeah, I think you mentioned that last time, which I thought was really cool, like the people being late and stuff to meetings and that kind of thing, it's like almost like people understand because they're not in a hurry it's like if you're not in a hurry from one thing to the next, like and the culture is like that there's going to be more understanding around. Like you know, here it's just like oh, you're super disrespectful, I can't believe you've showed up late.
Speaker 1:You know what I'm saying yeah, but I mean, and I'm not I understand both views, I'm just saying like it is beautiful when we slow down enough to just like not rush to the next thing, and I think a part of that is like we've become slaves to our schedules here, and and I think that's that's probably where we need to dial back the most. It's just like, hey, let's leave some margin and space in our schedule to Sabbath, or just to spend time like without with people, without like there being the next thing to go to. You know so, and I think it being called sorry, I think.
Speaker 4:I think it being called like the practice of sabbath. Like it, it's a practice practice yeah like you really, because if you just go into it and you're like, yeah, I'm just gonna take the time you know it's like with your mind going all the time, like I, I was always thinking about the next thing to do, like I'm always thinking about, oh, what do I have to do tomorrow, what do I have to get done? And it just takes away from, like, the heart of Sabbath and it's like so it really is a practice.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it is, we call it, we call that Sabbath.
Speaker 4:Sabbath yeah.
Speaker 1:When you take a half Sabbath. Yeah, yeah, that's funny um, were you gonna say something before we move on to the next thing?
Speaker 3:yeah, well, I was just gonna say like it's been hard trying to find a balance between like um, the way that people like live their lives here, but then also like bringing what I enjoyed about the other cultures I lived in and like blending them together. But it's been so hard because, like, I'll get coffee with people and I'm like, oh well, I really don't want to leave this person because I want to keep talking to them.
Speaker 3:But then I'm like, oh okay, well, in 20 minutes I have to be somewhere, but I know like this conversation could keep going for 20 minutes so then, I'm like, well, do I just show up late or do I stay here? Yeah, if I show up late. They're not gonna like that. But then I'm like this person wants me to be here and listen to them yeah so it's like, okay, what do I do?
Speaker 1:so trying to find that balance yeah, you gotta, you have to kind of build, build the rhythms in life that you want. I mean, like we talk about in the internship, is just like the control, like we don't have control of so many things but we do have control of a few things, you know, and it's like taking those things we do control and informing them and building them the way that we feel like God would have us do that. I think our schedule is one of those things.
Speaker 1:like if we want margin, we have to create it, you know we have to build the life that we want to see and that honors God. And I think the Sabbath is one of those things that, like, hey, honor the Sabbath and keep it holy, like, do it and I, it's not like this thing you have to do, but it's this thing that's uh, super formative, it's going to change us and so that's great. The sabbath, well, just to to wrap up, just a couple more thoughts and questions, because try to keep this thing at a reasonable time, um, but I think, yeah, here's the question. I'm just going to ask it because I think this is a great question. I think this is kind of wrapping up the whole point of what we do. But what advice would you give to someone considering joining Globally or taking a gap year or serving on a mission trip?
Speaker 4:I mean first advice, just let God lead that decision. But also just going into a like a, a global year, it's like you're gonna, it's only nine months, so like that goes faster than you think it's going to. Like so your year, yes, you're going to impact people and you're going to meet people and you're going to, you know, make relationships and that is one of the goals, but it's gonna.
Speaker 4:it's gonna impact you more than like you think yeah like it's gonna impact you more than probably the impact that you're gonna make and um so like also like just giving advice, in that like I think the biggest thing for me was just going into it without expectation.
Speaker 3:Yeah that's great.
Speaker 4:Or like big expectations of like, because it just strips so much of the like optimistic side and the you know the unknown Like. There's so much God can do with the unknown and like yeah there's, there's so much in that that, like, if you just give, like, make room for god to have that year, like if you're gonna, if you're gonna surrender that year to him, surrender it and and and don't hold back in that you know, that's great yeah, like let the worries that you have about coming back about, like, oh, what college am I gonna go to if that's the route you're gonna go, or like what I'm gonna do when I get back?
Speaker 4:It's like, don't dwell on those things. Like God already has those plans and he's already gonna lead you through that when you get off your global year. Things like those God already has those plans and he's already gonna lead you through that when you get off your global year. But like, if you're gonna surrender that year to him, surrender it and be open with open hands of whatever he has to offer. Make that room for the transformation that he's gonna make in your life.
Speaker 1:That's great. I thought that was really great advice. It's awesome. I think sometimes like nine months feels like so long.
Speaker 4:It feels long yeah.
Speaker 1:Especially like at 32, nine months is like, feels like a blip, like I remember being 18. Nine months felt like way longer when I was 18. But, it's just crazy, like, if anything, anything like, do everything you can to slow it down yeah really soak it up.
Speaker 4:So I thought that was like that's great yeah, like I'm like I feel like coming back from my gopher. I was like oh my gosh it's already over.
Speaker 1:I know everybody feels that way.
Speaker 4:I was like I feel like I should still be in Italy. Yeah, what's?
Speaker 1:uh, what's something you wish you had known before going on the trip. Like that you maybe you didn't. Or now you know, Like something you wish you would have known that you didn't know.
Speaker 4:Oh, definitely. I think just that the language is going to be a lot harder than I thought. Yeah. Like going into it. I was like, oh yeah, like I'm going to get there, I'm going to be surrounded by the language, it won't be that hard. And then I and I'm there and I'm like, dude, I don't understand.
Speaker 1:You're like, I actually have to work at this.
Speaker 4:Yeah, this is like it's something you really have to work at, so like going into that and it's more of like just the like, a basic thing, but it's so important because the way you communicate with people, the way you build relationships, it's all like. First, you have to learn the language you know, like, and, depending on where you go, yeah, there's going to be people that speak english. Yeah, but you're coming into their culture, you're coming into their life, like you want to be able to speak the language and I mean you experience that when you're coming into their life, like you want to be able to speak the language and I mean you experience that when you're there.
Speaker 4:Like you experience like the want of like, oh, I want to learn the language so I can speak to this person. But yeah, that was like a lot harder than I thought. I went into it and I was like, yeah, like I don't need to do a lingo. You know like I'll just learn it when I get there. I'll be fluent in a week, yeah all right.
Speaker 1:So everybody considering going, you heard it first here. Yes, learn the language as much you have to apply yourself.
Speaker 4:Yeah, it takes effort and it takes work practice it don't just yeah, like don't don't be afraid to I know my experience with Italy like don't be afraid to just mess up. It's okay. And we talk about that in different ways in our internship, like in different in all areas, like don't be afraid to mess up, Like, because at the end of it, who's going to remember? I know. And in the language everybody wants to help you. Like especially if you're thinking about going to Italy, where Italy is the only country that speaks Italian.
Speaker 1:They're like oh my gosh, you've come here to speak my language and they're so grateful that you're trying yeah, they are like they're so so true, yeah, it's like failure is really such a great teacher yeah, and it's like insecurity robs us from learning because we're scared to fail and like especially learning a language and like applying yourself in another country, like people like 99.9 percent of the time, are going to be super welcoming yeah, to you like applying yourself to learning their language, I mean, and especially an american like you're here like applying yourself to learn?
Speaker 1:you know, I think most people feel that like yeah I feel like, at least my experience, like I've seen where people are just really grateful and um, I think that goes a long way. You know yeah and loving others, and I think it's a part of why we encourage students to learn the language, because, like it's a part of uh, my add, I'm like yeah, well, they remember that that you yeah, they do no yeah, I think it means a lot to people so yeah our closing tradition. Not a tradition, but it's because it's gonna be one we're making it a tradition is uh worst day, best day.
Speaker 1:So what was your worst day in?
Speaker 3:Italy.
Speaker 1:There's no expectations on this answer. So whatever I mean, whatever.
Speaker 3:Or Ireland.
Speaker 1:Or Ireland. It could have been Ireland.
Speaker 4:Yeah, there was a lot of days in Ireland just because of the weather, I think, taking like a non-serious route of like the worst day?
Speaker 1:Yeah, it can be funny.
Speaker 4:So when we first got there, it was like I mean, it was a couple of weeks after we got there, I we went to this like festival, like not festival, but like bigger market than usual, and it was.
Speaker 4:We went with Paul and Eliseo, which were some of our ministry partners, like our main ministry partners over there, and we just got there and we're walking.
Speaker 4:We're walking down these like concrete steps and everybody's in or like most everybody's in front of me, but Ben and Trinity are behind me and I, like I had just, I just wasn't looking down and I skipped a step or something and I mean I flew down those stairs and Ben at first thought he was like "'Dude, I thought I pushed you on accident" and I was like no, and like the only reason everybody else turned around is because they heard me fall, because I literally like smacked the ground and I like I literally just like flew down the stairs and there was like this, it was like the stairs, and then there was like a half platform and so, like I remember like it all just happened so fast but it felt like I was falling forever and like when I realized I like fell.
Speaker 4:I was like halfway on the platform halfway on the stairs, like just laying there, and I was just like, and then after that I was like I had to take a minute and I had like bruised my hip, I bruised my ribs, I had bruises all the way down my shins and so like, yeah, that sounds awful, yes, it was like that was definitely one of the worst, and there was other times I definitely fell a lot more than that.
Speaker 4:Like, if you ask any of my team members, they're like, yeah, Chloe fell all the time, but that was the main one and like it was.
Speaker 1:I'm glad you're okay. Yeah, same, that sounds terrifying.
Speaker 4:Yeah, and especially like right after getting there it was like I didn't break anything. Yeah, I know Like and I just flew down concrete stairs.
Speaker 1:I mean, yeah, coming out or like falling down the stairs is just some bruises and it's pretty good yeah.
Speaker 3:It could have been a lot worse.
Speaker 4:Yeah, yeah they were big. So I like I wasn't expecting because you know, like that I don't know, it was just in down, like down the town, and they were just like these thick concrete stairs, wild. I wasn't paying attention and I just flew. That sounds terrible. It was I was okay.
Speaker 3:Thank you for sharing that.
Speaker 1:That's amazing. Terrible it was. Thank you for sharing that yeah, well, best day yeah, let's, let's go, uh, let's go.
Speaker 4:Best day close it out best day. I know like worst day, best day there's probably so many there's so, yeah, there's so many things I could think of give us one of the one of the best Um.
Speaker 4:I would say probably, uh, christmas Eve.
Speaker 4:So we had, um, I feel, and I feel like also like the holidays or something that like going on a global year, like you're like, oh, like I'm gonna miss my family so much and like I'm gonna like this is going to be awful, like I'm going to be away from my family and um, but Christmas Eve was like one of my favorite days out of my whole global year because, um, uh, I remember that night we just kind of like everybody, we were just all hanging out and we had, um, there was this family, the Vitter family, and they had, um, a whole bunch of kids and we stayed up to like 12 o'clock and we were all just like we all, like, I think, we met, make cookies and stuff and we just had like this huge dance party with all the kids and it was just like so wholesome and it was just like a really good memory, especially to have during the holidays, like there, when you feel like like, oh, like I miss my family, like, but it was like there, when you feel like like, oh, like I miss my family, like, but it was like there was other people there that became my family and it was so sweet.
Speaker 4:It was just like one of my favorite memories, just cause we had so much fun and we were just doing the littlest thing, like just dancing to music with the kids.
Speaker 4:Um, and then there's so many days on top of that like camp, like days at camp at the end of the year like just getting to spend those days with um the the kids and the um even the junior coaches in the community and just being able to dance with them and do music and sports and stuff like that. It was just awesome.
Speaker 1:It's awesome. Yeah. So good. Well, thanks for being here with us. Thank you Of course, course, thanks for having me it's good to hear your story obviously me and Leah have heard a lot of it but for other people to get to hear your story and you know it's why we do it so people who are considering this can can really get a good picture of what it's like some of the challenges.
Speaker 1:so, yeah, so for anybody listening now, if this is something that you're considering or interested in, check out globalyearorg, slash. What's the application? Check out globalyearorg. That's the website. You can check out what we do, who we are and all that, and then there is an application on the website that they can go to and apply, and we would love to have you be a part of it. So, anyway, chloe, thank you.
Speaker 4:There's just one more thing I wanted to add.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, please.
Speaker 4:At our prayer meeting this morning, your mom said, miss Natalie, she said you don't realize that the investment that you're taking is not just for nine months, but it's an investment for your whole life. It's going to make a huge impact on your whole life and just the, the heart change in general and so like. Just remember that when you're going into a global year or even any year that you take to dedicate to the lord, like it's going to impact your it's not just nine months.
Speaker 4:Yeah, it's not just nine months, but it's an investment for your whole life, that's good, that's like our slogan. Yeah.
Speaker 1:A year of memories and eternal impact. So it's like, yeah, it may just be a year, but it's definitely going to be an impact that will last forever. Anyway, thank you.
Speaker 4:Yes, bring it.