Long time, no see, Readers! My team was recently stationed in China, where facebook, personal blogs, and anything associated with “M” and “C” and “J” Words was most definitely blocked. Those words being Missionary, Christian, and Jesus. And so a month away was warranted.
It was an incredible month, even without social media sites.
My team ended up in a remote village far away from anything, in the mountains of the Tibetan provinces. If Tibet were a free country, we would have been in it rather than “China.”
At 9,600 feet, even breathing while having a conversation was extremely difficult, and my teammates and I would often wake in the middle of the night trying to catch our breath.
We did workout, however! I started a 60 Day Insanity Challenge, and was faithful every day we were at our site. I did spend most of my time catching my breath rather than burning my muscles, but it was worth it! I felt healthy, energetic (well, as much as possible), and peaceful. It seems as though if I am taking care of my body, everything else seems to fall into place. My attitude was better, my perspective was more rounded, and my humor increased. I began to enjoy team time much more, and even our ministry was more enjoyable.
Speaking of ministry…
It was a little difficult this month. There were only 3 English speakers in our town, and we were not supposed to use any “Christianese” language; rather, we were just meant to build relationships and carry God’s Spirit with us, living our lives in prayer and worship, and trusting that God Himself would take care of the souls around us.
We learned a lot about trusting in Him: to provide Divine appointments, to break down culture and language barriers, to provide our warmth without heat in our apartment (and it snowed twice). We learned a lot about reveling in the beauty and glory of God’s creation: we were surrounded by the most beautiful mountains, and a sky so blue you could swim in it.
I’m sitting here in a very short layover in Malaysia, on our way to the Philippines (where we’ve heard a typhoon is brewing just north of it), so I’ll keep this short.
Be in prayer for the people of China, and of Tibet. Be in serious intercession for the “M” workers who live there. They need support, and encouragement, and protection in the deepest way.
And trust in our Great and Mighty God to provide.
Because He will.
climbing huge mountains to rejoice and pray
jumping in prairies with schoolchildren
marveling at how blessed we are, and how good He is
