Hi from Shanghai, China!!
We have officially arrived in China and have started out on our 11 month journey. Lots of change has occurred already, and I just wanted to share it fresh and raw with you all.
What I expected from Shanghai’s culture is quite the opposite of what it actually is like…
China is filled with people who long for the same things we all long for.. to be seen, known and loved….
My initial thought was that there would be scary looking government officials walking around yelling at people, instilling fear in everyone around them?? I suppose that could happen, but people are just living their day to day lives here and they love helping and serving others.
My teammates and I get lot of stares… people take pictures of us all the time, but I love it because it opens doors to conversations. A lady asked me on the street the other day..
“Why are you here and where you are going?” I paused briefly and thought, well physically my team and I are trying to get a taxi home after a long day walking the town…
but the deeper answer that arose in me is… I am on a journey of discovery of what all God has for me in this LIFE. I want to become mindful and always attentive of how he is moving and speaking to me.
At times, I flip this switch off from listening to God calling me higher because this takes effort and courage.. I think, ” nahhhh I am good where I am at”
This life isn’t always full of “comfort” we can so easily get stuck in this mindset of searching for what “feels” right in the moment. I have been very much removed from this luxurious comfort of home. I miss it already! Yet the Lord reminded me today that he promises us in Isaiah that his people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest, not physically but within our souls.
As I sit here writing this on my Sabbath (day of rest) I am comforted by where I am going, and who I am becoming. I believe I serve a Father that sees and meets all my needs and provides comfort to my soul. My prayer for this community that I am immersed in, my teammates, my hosts, and the amazing surrounding locals that God is not finished with them yet… and he is walking in the midst of wherever we are going….
