Dear Friends and Family,
I’m coming home early. If you have been following the news, you are aware that the Coronavirus is spreading quickly. Adventures in Missions has made the decision to pull out all 500+ people from the mission field. My squad has been informed that they hope to get us on a plane home bound within the next two days. We are currently in Romania. Fortunately none of us has contracted the disease. However the risk of traveling on a plane with someone who is a potential carrier is still a concern. Please keep my squad as well as all the Adventures in Missions missionaries in your prayers.
This has come as a great surprise to all of us. The information has been changing daily keeping us all on our toes. But isn’t that life? You can never quite predict what will happen. I praise God in the midst of it all. He has given me an unshakable peace even now. Am I sad? Yes a little. I was close to changing teammates one more time, and I was looking forward to getting to know some of the people on my squad better. I was for sure looking forward to our final month in Greece. I can be sad and at peace because I trust God. Even now He has good plans for us. As long as I follow Jesus, my future is bright.
Seven and a half months was far longer than I ever expected to be on a mission trip. Earlier today I was telling God how much personal growth I was just now discovering I needed. How could my trip end now? “Tiina,” He said to my spirit, “You will continue to grow for the rest of your life regardless if you are abroad or in the United States.” We will all continue along the path God has chosen for us if we surrender our life and our own way to Him. It’s that simple and that tough.
I am looking forward to spending quality time with my friends and family. I now have an extra two months without any obligations or plans. How cool is that!? I’m sure more questions will come up and more to grieve will come to mind. I know I am secure no matter what with the maker of heaven and earth by my side.
Thank you to all who have supported me on this trip of a life time. Thank you for reading my writings. My biggest take away from this trip has to be that God is living and active all over the world in a crazy variety of ways. If you open your mind, eyes, and ears, you will see it too. My second biggest take away has to be the heart God has for the youth. The youth hold the future in a big beautiful way. It’s important to invest time into them because God can light an incredible fire in their soul, and God can use them to reach to the ends of the earth.
Stay healthy and safe my family and friends till I see you again. Go in love and peace remembering to be gracious in your speech and conduct.
Love,
Tiina
(A rainbow felt appropriate. It’s a symbol of a promise and hope. I promise you there is hope. Hope enough for tomorrow.)
