Hello world!
I am currently on the opposite side of the world, as most of you.
After flying in four airplanes, waiting hours upon hours in three vastly different airports, we arrived to our first country!! I now possess another stamp in my passport!
Praise the Lord for smooth (though long) travels. Airplane rides now lull me to sleep, and traveling for hours at a time will now be my norm.
It still feels surreal to be so far from where I was just a week ago. Yet, as we exited the airport yesterday, I realized this is the world. I have not seen 98% of the world, and yet here I am in the midst of it all. Standing out like a sore thumb, we will not go unnoticed. We will not go unnoticed. Huh.
There is a reason Jesus sent us here, we are going to stick out not only because we are a group of white Americans (with the exception of a couple Canadians, holla!), but because Jesus told us to come here. We are following his lead. Whatever that looks like, we are to discover it. Some of us may have glimpses of what that looks like, and we are excited to see how Papa will lead us. But right now, we are like kids in a wonderful new land. Our eyes are wide, we are full of awe and wonder.
I am full of awe and wonder.
As we were walking yesterday to where we lodged for the night, we stood in the middle of a (what in the states we would consider to be) a single lane road. Cars, trucks and motorcycles were passing by. And I was standing in the midst of it. (Mom & Dad- I digress. I was not standing in the middle of the road, I was near the side, aware of it all). As I stood there, I was taking it in.
There I was, a blonde, female American, probably looking as out of place as ever, observing the world pass by.
I’m here. It’s real now.
Though I have little idea of what this adventure looks like, I am here.
Whether I think I am ready, I am here.
Whether I think I have what it takes, I am here.
Jesus said go.
I went.
We went.
We are here.
Okay Papa, what’s next?
Help us to assimilate to the culture and be respectful.
Help us to quiet ourselves down to hear you, Papa.
As I sit here and finish this blog, I here the beeping of horns, the sound of motorcycles making there way through.
Last night, as a group of us were making our way to find dinner, the rain started to fall from the clouds above. We were not prepared. Before we embarked, I mentioned “I hope it doesn’t rain” Then I quickly realized what I had said, and actually changed it and said “NO, that would actually be amazing if it did.” As it began, I giggled. We were not expecting the raindrops. We got a bit wet. Our feet got wet. We walked through alongside the street as if we had been there before.
We ate our delicious food, and as we were about to leave, the call for prayer was made. Wow. What a beautiful place we are located in. The call to prayer was beautiful. I was captivated by it. I think many of us can be scared by it, because we have never experienced it before, or have preconceived notions. The world around is beautiful and captivating. We don’t have to accept everything about it, but we can appreciate it and find beauty in Papa’s creation.
I’m not sure where I was going with that, but I will finish with this.
I am happy to be here. This place is filled with beauty and I am ready to find it.
PRAYER REQUESTS
+ safety and health (a few of my teammates aren’t feeling their best, and after 48 hours of travel, there is chance of coming down with sickness)
+ taking time to quiet ourselves and hear Papa
+ believe the truth Papa has spoken to our hearts over and over again
+ awareness of our surroundings and culture
ANSWERED PRAYER
+ all our luggage came with us!
+ we are here.
Amazing things are here!!
I love y’all!
Thank you for your love & support & words. I feel it. I am in my happy place.
