as we were preparing for thailand the team was asked to create a profile about ourselves. each of us answered a series of questions about things like our history, our strengths, and our goals. one of the things we were asked to describe was what expectations we had for our time in thailand and how we thought we might respond if our expectations were not met. basically my answer was that i had no expectations, except to grow in wisdom and understanding and that this could always be met no matter where a person is (be it in texas working or overseas serving God). all that's required is a heart that is open and searching. i guess you could say that i expect my experience to be transforming and that i don’t think the nature of this transformation can be understood until i arrive on the other side of it. if you believe in the wonder of the way God works then you'll find it no suprise that last friday night after a meal with my family at p.f.chang's my fortune cookie read the following: "Sometimes traveling to a new place leads to great transformation."
you can call it a funny coincidence or the humor of God's little signs (i believe it was the later) but either way it brought a smile to my face. the land of a thousand smiles will be my cocoon for the next 6 months and i'm starting to think that i'll be seeing more of these pointers to His presence. it's getting closer and closer to our departure and i'm still not fully grasping the fact that i've graduated college much less the idea that i'm going abroad, in a place where english is foreign language and christianity is a belief held by less than 2% of the people. it seems bizarre to me. so i can only imagine how distant it must seem to all those i'm leaving behind. some seem proud of me, others say how much they'll miss me, and others still express concern for my safety, all extremely excited for me and this opportunity. though through all the warm wishes i can't help but sense this gap, this slight seperation between them and myself. i want you to know that going to thailand doesn't make me special. it doesn't mean i am an outstanding christian with all the answers and everything put together in a nice pretty package (if anything i feel unprepared for the things God has to teach me). what i mean to say is thailand doesn't make me different than you. we are the same, children of a loving Father, purposed on this earth to find fullness in life, happiness in those around us, and truth in the God we love. So please remember this, when you read about the things God is doing in thailand don't let them be happy stories from a land far away. let it be inspiration to find your own cocoon, where ever you are and seek out growth and transformation in your own life. it doesn't require some resolution for the new year or a long distance journey to an unknown land. it simply starts with an open heart seeking renewal.
