Week 1: people, food, stretch--life abroad is for me!

…What a whirlwind! How do I even begin to sum-up the last week and a half that I have experienced? Most people are inundated with so many new things when they move to another country where everything is different from their previous surroundings…so much “stimuli,” as I have been referring to it this week. And I am definitely no exception to this. I have been overwhelmed in so many ways, but I can thankfully say that almost all of these have been positive and memorable experiences. I have met the most incredible people, tried exotic new foods, been given the opportunity to be stretched through my work, and had the realization that life abroad is the life for me!

Incredible People: Without a doubt, the last week has been a privilege. I have sat in on meetings and meals with people that I would have never imagined I would meet. Although none of them were “famous” by worldly standards, I can guarantee that their names and handprints are on the sidewalk stars of heaven. Not because of all of the work for the Lord they have done (although that in itself is challenging to say the least), but because their hearts for Jesus and people are overwhelmed with love and a commitment to give their entire lives (and risk it for some) to bring others to greater heights and depths with the Lord. For some, it has meant meeting secretly in their countries to sing and pray together as brothers and sisters…for others it has meant to devote all of their time and resources to traveling all around Asia building relationships to get ministries partnering together…and still for others it has meant going beyond the normality of teaching to tell his students about Christ and begin a church made up of college students. The list goes on and on and on. These are the Heaven Hall of Famers of our time—and God gave me the honor of getting to shake their hands, hug their necks, and take a picture with them. I can hardly begin thanking Him enough for that.

Exotic Foods: My all-time favorite thing to do when I first arrive in any country is EAT! You all know me…I love food. No doubt about that. And what I love about moving abroad is knowing that I will have the chance to try things I never knew existed. After just a week and a half, I am realizing that I am going to have to try several new things each and every day to even scratch the surface of Asian food. Just today, I went to a mall “eatery” where the different booths were labeled according to region/type (like Chicken Rice, Fish Balls, and chinese words I can't remember) and every single thing looked great to me. Its hard to believe that in our eateries at home we usually have just 1-2 staple Asian restaurants (which we most often refer to as “Japanese” or “Chinese”—although I am beginning to doubt if I ever understood the difference. Just to give you an idea, here are some of the new things I’ve tried: Jelly Drink, Chicken Rice (the local special), real Lo Mein, Pau (pronounced “Pow” and translated “steamed buns”), really crazy Squid, lots of things with coconut milk or flavoring (yummy!!), amazing Rice Noodle dishes, tons of different Dumplings (my all-time favorite Chinese food), Yam ice cream (that’s purple!), great Chinese New Year’s cookies, and so so so much more! As you can see, I don’t really know the names for most of it, but I know how to point and whatever I end up with I will eat (although its usually more of a surprise than a known). So…taste buds get ready, because this is just the beginning!

Stretching like an 80s Jane Fonda Workout Video: Well…I wish it were more like physical stretching. That I could handle a lot easier than the mental, emotional, and spiritual stretching that is happening right now…in these very moments…inside of my very being. Coming out here, I knew that I would be working with an incredible leader for a boss. I had heard amazing things and could tell even over the phone that this guy (Mike) was going to take me to new heights through my job. But man…I don’t know if I could have ever guessed that it would be anything like this. It has been a thrill being given so much responsibility for an impacting event that is less than 3 months away. And also a rollercoaster. One minute I am drowning in a sea of tasks and meetings that I feel I can’t handle and then next (usually after I talk to the Lord) I am relaxed, confident, and ready to take on even more that needs to be done. One minute I’m scared, the next minute I’m excited. One minute I doubt my abilities, the next minute I’m boasting in God giving me talents and wisdom. And this ride is exhausting! But I wouldn’t trade in my ticket for anything else in the world right now. This is the place for me and I know God is using this job to prepare me for even bigger adventures in the future—and every piece of knowledge and experience I am receiving right now will play an important role in whatever is next. That’s why I don’t run away when I feel the urge…and I don’t shy away when my flesh says to keep silent…and I don’t let anything stop me from striving for excellence for my God. Every day is important. Every task is meaningful. Every moment is the beginning of yet another. Let’s just pray I can bounce back from the stretch and be stronger for it!

And beyond all of this, God has given me the gift of a huge revelation. You know those moments I’m talking about. Those times when something is made so clear to you that it not only excites you but it puts your heart at peace more than you ever thought possible. God has made this clear to me: I am meant to live in another country. He has designed me for it, given me the desires, and now given me many opportunities. It couldn’t be clearer to me. I love being the minority, embracing new things, and learning other cultures and languages. Its easy and fun for me and the change is a thrill. And more than that…a part of me comes alive when I am living out of my geographical comfort zone…and I like that part of me. (You would too!) So, I am now fully embracing the idea of living abroad for long amounts of time in my life…and peace is what reigns in me. What a gift!

Until next week…enjoy the pics that will be coming soon!