Expectations. What an interesting concept. Through expectations we try to grasp a situation we have yet to experience and put it in a context that we can control, a context we can handle, a context that leaves out the unexpected.
Yet, for purposes of relating and understanding perspective we like to hear each other’s expectations. So, here are a few of mine for the 11 months on the World Race.
Personal/Spiritual:
I expect to be challenged in my understanding of love, God’s grace, God’s miracles, community, personal space, necessity, and justice. I know I will come back changed, but before I go, I can in no way understand as to how much.
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage, so that now as always Christ will be exatled in my body whether by life or by death." -Philippians 1:20
Community:
Well, I expect it to be incredible and a challenge. I love being around friends, but I also enjoy my personal time to just sit in silence and take in the sounds of nature. This likely won’t happen often.
I will likely learn more about these people than my friends I have known since 1st grade. We will have our differences, but we will move past them as we live for Christ.
I will, at times, miss friends back home, but when I return I will miss friends from the race. So, I will learn to love each day in each place with each person instead of dwelling.
This community has no clue how much I sing and dance when I am slaphappy. I apologize in advance.
Countries:
I am incredibly excited for the adventures that will come with each country and the ministries we will be doing in each country. Here are a few I am particularly excited about:
China-I spent time in China in 2010. (More in previous post) I have thought about China and the kids I worked with everyday since. I know the work we will be doing will look different, and nothing can take the place that the New Day kiddos hold in my heart, but I am ready to go back, and ready to see the work our Father will do! Also, I really miss REAL Chinese food!
Uganda-I have known about Invisible Children 2004 (I think this is the right year) when they came to our church to tell us a about the LRA and the devastation Joseph Kony has created in Africa. I applied to be a roadie with invisible children from January-may 2013. Soon after, Invisible Children, working with the locals in Africa decided not to have the Roadies for this semester as their efforts would be more useful in Africa. I have wanted to work with those regions affected by the LRA since hearing about them in 2004. I never knew the opportunity would come through the World Race, and I am excited (and honestly preparing the tissue boxes) for this opportunity. No child should live in such the kind of fear that Joseph Kony has created, and I am humbled to be given the opportunity to share Christ’s joy in a region that has seen such a destruction that only Christ can heal.
Romania– I discovered an organization called “Remember the Children” at the missionary convention in 2010. I discussed with them the possibility of having a program like kids with cameras with the gypsy children as a form of art therapy. He thought it was a great idea, but connections were lost over time and nothing came of it. I am excited to see what God will do through and to team while in Romania.
Cultures:
I have an addiction to cultures! I love the clothing differences, the food differences (although I am sure this will be a challenge for this vegetarian at points), the music differences, the new languages, the differences in worship and the difference in worldviews. While I know some of these differences will challenge me, and at times I will wish for the comforts of cheese or a coffee shop, but I know God will build my world view through these differences and teach me wonders about his love for “Panta Ethne” (all nations).
Environmental:
I love God’s creation! While I won’t be able to hold a lemur (on my bucket list) on this trip I might get to see a monkey in its natural habitat! We will be submerged in an array of eco-systems, each with their own wonders! While I am not a big fan of spiders and snakes, I realize they will also be a part of this journey. We will see first hand how corporate industry (agriculture, animal, and industry) has affected the locals we so easily label as “out of site, out of mind.” They will no longer be simply voices in documentaries or stories in books.
Direction:
Direction is a crazy thing. When you are given it you don't want it, but when your searching for direction you cant find it. Without it you are lost and uncertain. If you know your going west you simply follow the Son and the little details become less important. Your mission is focused solely on the brightest and the Son is focused on the darkest. Suddenly your direction is clear. In the light you reach the dark.
I believe that this journey will allow me to live out the overarching theme of direction, that by living in Christ (the light) our heart yearns to reach into the dark and share with them the light. It is, in my journey, the natural path to take. As I know God has called me to full time ministry to the “least of these” I pray that this journey will give me further understanding to what that means through his eyes and his heart.
Now I am ready to see these ‘expectations will be blown away by true community and by God! Seth Barnes in his book Kingdom Journey’s explains, "A kingdom journey is first and foremost about expanding God's reign in the world and increasing it inside our hearts." So, in all honesty, my goal is before I board that first plane, to surrender all my expectations to God, as I learn that true life in Christ lives beyond the Earthly expectations, and I can not fathom what such surrender will look like along this journey of childlike faith!
