Walking into Asia

 

I vividly remember
during mission’s week my freshman year of college having thoughts about Asia.
Thing is, they were not good ones. I told a few friends who were thinking about
heading to China that they were more than welcome, but I would be more than satisfied
if I never stepped foot there. Well, any Asian country to be exact. I told
them, ‘In order for me to go there, God would have to pick me up, and literally
put me there,’ hand motions and all.

 

I am not unhappy,
distraught, bothered, or anything like I once imagined. Yes, it was God that
literally picked me up and set me here, and now something inside of me screams
‘Thank you!’ I would have never come on my own terms with my own agenda, regardless
of what was available to me. I was serious when I told them I would be fine if
I never set foot here. So as I sit here, in a coffee shop drinking possibly the
best strawberry-banana smoothie I have ever had, I have the most peace I have
had in quite some time. I am incredibly content with who I am, and where I am.
I am so in love with the Father, its like nothing I ever imagined possible.

 

Over the past two
months my team has experienced an incredible amount of redemption, and along
with it Gods grace and mercy are overflowing. In case you hadn’t noticed, we
are now Team Redeemed. In a matter of two weeks, my world has been so rocked
and wrecked; yet restored even further. I have found what it means to have a
redemptive heart towards a person you have wronged. Not just to apologize, but
also to truly understand, and feel,
the pain you have caused them. It is amazing. I have learned what it is like to
truly feel redeemed by Him. To know that I am whole, pure, and a precious
daughter in his eye, regardless of what my past may hold, is truly beyond
words. I am His beloved, always and forever.

 

So while this process
known as restoration, not simply change, began in Africa, it will be furthered
in Asia. It will be furthered as I lead a team of five women into North East
Thailand this month to work in an orphanage.

It will be furthered
as I learn to gain humility and lead from my knees, with Him as my everything.

It will be furthered
as I learn to love not only the many many children I will hold, but as I learn to love the new group of
women I have been surrounded with.

It will be furthered
as I learn to walk in the Spirit more and more on a daily basis, knowing this
is where I am called.

Well, this is where I
am called for now anyway…