Asia.
The Far East, and so far from home.
I have spent five months of my life in Asia, and it now has a piece of my heart.
China will always be, to me, a land awakening to freedom. It is a country so desperate for Jesus and hope that we brought that we had some of the best conversations about the Gospel here. It was a month of confusion, culture shock, and feeling so beyond out of my element. But it was also a month of drawing strength from Christ, forming sweet friendships with Leo, Calvin, Andy, and Simona, and bringing light to the darkness through simply showing the love of God to those we met. If month one in China could be described in one word, it would be AWAKENING. I awoke to deeper places in my relationship with Jesus, to the need people have for the hope found in Him, to a love for a nation seeking love and freedom.
Thailand, the Land of Smiles, was a fun month. Laboring under the tropical sun to build a foundation for a boys’ home, playing with sweet Thai children saved from a horrific life, and falling in love with the culture of this beautiful country are memories that will stay with me forever. It was a month of hard work, physically, spiritually, relationally. I grew ever closer to Jesus as I sought help in fighting the darkness the Land of Smiles masks. I grew stronger as I pitted my strength against the challenge of shoveling gravel, mixing and carting concrete, and bending rebar. I grew closer to my team as I strove to love them as Christ does. I fell in love with the food! Thai food is some of the best in the world! If I had to describe month two in Thailand in one word, it would be GROWTH. I grew in reliance on Jesus, in relationships with my team, in recognizing the darkness and fighting it, and in self-worth. Thailand was one of the first times in my life that I looked in the mirror and saw myself as Jesus does: truly and completely beautiful.
Cambodia, a country under construction, was a hard month for my heart. I found immeasurable joy working with BYKOTA House and my precious Hope, Tedah, Sammy, and Tina. I loved being able to use some of my talents to help make Thanksgiving and Christmas special. But it was balanced by the brokenness of the country. The poverty, the children begging or selling trinkets on the street, the filth, the wounds from the Khmer Rouge that have yet to heal; all of these things showed the immense need for these people to know Jesus. It was a hard month in pursuing others when they wouldn’t fight for themselves or for me, in learning to cut some heart ties, in depending on Jesus for everything. It was a month of learning what it means to rest, and learning to fight for my relationship with Him. The word I heard often in Cambodia was FIGHT. I learned how to fight for so much, and when to surrender the fight to the Lord.
Malaysia, a land of spiritual oppression and material wealth, was a jarring reality to walk through. In a lot of ways, it was like America. Wealth, prosperity (even a down to a Prosperity Meal at McDonald’s!), and pursuit of material possessions was seen everywhere, even in our small town in Northern Malaysia. Yet in all the luxury people had, and the freedom from extreme poverty, there was no hope. We weren’t even allowed to share the Gospel freely with anyone. But still God’s light illuminates the darkness here. We had the opportunity to present the true Christmas story, share the Gospel in the house owned by the head of the Hindu temple, and pour God’s love on the people around us. Surprisingly, the was a month I grew the most in my spiritual life. My word for Malaysia was FEARLESS, and I learned how to walk in a new identity as prayer warrior, lioness, and prophetess. My talent with art and words supported my new spiritual gifts, and I learned how to fearlessly share them with others. I walked away from Malaysia feeling so free, and praying for this country to one day experience the same freedom.
Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun, brought a cold climate but warmth to my heart. Here I learned about true hospitality, how to love out of overflow, and how to face masked brokenness with the love of Christ. Japan is a country overcome with despair, depression, lust, materialism, and darkness. Yet it is a country that is rising. My word this month was LIGHT, and I long for the day when the light comes to Japan. These amazing people are so ready to walk in the Light that God brings, and to share the Hope with the world. It is poised as a country to impact the Church on a global scale, and I cannot wait to see the fruit of what U Squad sowed in our short month here. One day soon, the Son will rise in all his glory across this land.
As I reflect on the past five months of my life, it seems so amazing that I’ve been gone this long from the States. Yet, so much has happened in so short a time. I’m a different person from the girl who walked on that plane on September 10th, 2013. I’m now a woman who is Christ’s breathtaking princess, a warrior, a lioness (no longer a mouse!). I am a woman who warmly embraces everyone, from all walks of life. I am a friend, a supporter of my leaders, a leader who doesn’t need a title to lead. I am still a flawed and broken creature, but daily, hourly, I am trusting and relying on Christ to make me into a new creation. His creation. As I look forward to not only the next 6 months, but the rest of my life, I cannot wait to see how the Master will continue to shape me. So farewell Asia, and hello Europe.
