Let me start this off by catching you up on my life! It has been a very busy time, from finishing up school and graduating to traveling to China and Thailand. All such amazing things that have kept me a little distracted from working on my next blog post… but I’m home and over jet lag, so here it is!!
So, did I mention that I traveled to China and Thailand? For almost a year, my family planned a trip back to Asia for a “Heritage Tour.” The purpose of the trip was to visit my birth country and orphanage, and to tour the places that my family lived before I came along. Our trip was a total of 17 days long, so in order to do it justice I think I will make my trip into a series of blogs.
This action packed trip with my family was such an amazing “practice run” for the Race in a couple different ways:
1) I was able to get lots of practice traveling between countries. This included getting a feel for jet lag, getting familiar with customs and immigration, and finding my way around a foreign city. I will give you a quick list of where we went:
CHINA: Beijing, Xi’an, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Gao Ming
THAILAND: Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai
With only a few strange looks going through immigration, I might consider myself a pro in foreign airports. In total, we transported on 10 different planes, one train, the MTR in Hong Kong, and multiple busses, Ubers, and taxis. 11 airports later and I feel GREAT. Jet lag didn’t hit me too hard on the way there, so that was a plus. And, as for finding my way around a foreign city, we had tour guides in half of the cities so we didn’t have to work too hard getting around, but the other four all we had were street signs and directions in broken English. Hong Kong was the easiest to get around and for sure my favorite city due to the livability. The city was much more English friendly which was nice. It felt a little like New York but way better.
2) While this was not a mission trip, I believe that we were able to share God’s light with many of the people we encountered.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35
In each city I noticed a trend. I noticed that people were very drawn to us (And I don’t think it was solely on the fact that my family is white and Logan has long hair and a rockstar beard). When I look back at each place and each person, it’s easy to see what it was. We have the Holy Spirit living in us which makes us different. We are called to be different and therefore be witnesses among the nations. This was not the direct purpose of our trip but I believe was a successful outcome. While I hope we stirred questions in Jack in Beijing and touched Ivy in Xi’an and Khun Simkid in Bangkok, I would have to say that Sun is the person we got to really share God’s love with.
We met Khun Sun in Phuket, Thailand at a beach resort. This was the three days of our trip to relax and have nowhere to be. Sun was the waiter by the pool and had the biggest smile on his face at all times. He said, “When there is no sun outside, I can be your Sun!” We got to talk to him many times while relaxing by the pool and hear about his life. When he got off work one night at 5:45pm, he came and sat by us to practice his English and get to know us. We were able to get to know him better as well. By the end of the short three days we were at the resort Sun said that we were his family and gave each of us a little gift. He was friendly to all of the guests, but chose to know us. Without talking specifically about religion, I strongly believe that he saw the Holy Spirit in us and we were able to plant that seed which makes the trip even more special.
I challenge myself and you all to be open and ready the next time you are on vacation (or at home) to love and minister to those who you encounter. We are to be the light that Jesus calls us to be. Just like the song “This Little Light of Mine” !! It’s a cute, little children’s song that is so, so important to remember.
NEXT BLOG PREVIEW: The main reason that we went back to China was to visit my orphanage, finding location, and the hotel where my family first met me. One of the most frequently asked questions since I’ve been back home is “How did you feel?” I want to be as real as possible about it, so that will be the topic of my next blog:)
FUNDRAISING UPDATE: On April 4th I became fully funded!!! I am so thankful to everyone who made it possible to be fully funded in a little over one month. It makes me certain that this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing. I have also gotten about 75% of my gear and vaccinations covered by financial donations, so thank you, thank you, thank you!! Right now I have purchased about 90% of my gear and have been doing lots of much needed practice setting up my tent. (Training Camp is July 10-20th so send prayers that I master it by then:))
PRAYER REQUEST: I ask for prayers as I continue to write my next blog about my experience back in the city where I spend the first 11 months of my life. I hope to convey my feelings accurately while being sensitive to the fact that every adoption is different and every adopted child’s feelings are unique.
ANDDDD don’t forget to subscribe to my blog to get notifications on each new post!!
Day One in Beijing at the Ming Tombs!
Me, Logan, Khun Sun, Alex and Hannah on the Beach in Phuket.
Jack, Hannah and Alex on the Great Wall of China.
Ivy waited at the airport with us in Xi’an until she was certain we had our tickets and were going through security!
