5 Things I Know To Be True from Seat 73C (the start of a T&M adventure)

As I sit in seat 73C of this massive plane two hours outside of Shanghai, I realize that I had no idea what sort of adventure I was signing myself up for seven months ago. When I said yes to Thailand and Malaysia, I really don't think I was saying yes to those countries-- at least not yet. I was saying yes to what was in front of me-- an adventure, a great team, a semester of class with Rebecca and my friends, and making a few sacrifices to make it all possible.

I said yes because I loved being with people at Westmont in the classroom and in the shared office for Emmaus Road and Urban Initiative. I liked throwing myself into the details of the work there on campus. And yet the irony that I often find within God's plans for me is that as I sit here in seat 73C, I'm a world away from the comfort and safety of my office and details. And that's exactly where I'm supposed to be!

I still feel somewhat unsure of exactly what to expect in country for Thailand and Malaysia, however I feel at peace. God can work in an office, but limiting Him to only work through Word Docs and Excel spreadsheets is crazy! It's been crazy how accepting my brain has been with all the change and travel even of the last 24 hours. It's all expanding what I believe to be possible. I've spent most of the summer doubting God and really questioning if and how much He can really work. Yet as I sit on this plane, away from the safety of my own summer plans and from the comfort of the office I loved, I feel confident in God's presence with me and my team and in His ability to both move in mighty ways and yet speak in a whisper. Tonight, God has been reminding me of the ways He has showed up in the past few years. These reminders of the past are giving me the faith to believe in the here and now.

There have been so many feelings, preparation, and time leading up to this trip, but the only thing I can truly speak to is where I'm at right now:

1. I feel confident in Gods ability to move through us and around us while we are on this trip.

2. I'm very confident that He's already at work, and I'm excited to see what that looks like for our team this month.

3. I'm so excited to work with our new friends in Thailand and Malaysia.

4. Alongside all the big reasons we are going to these countries, I'm very excited for the food while we are there!

5. As we fly towards this adventure, my prayer is that God would open our eyes to His realities, that He will help us be present when we can and have grace for ourselves when culture and exhaustion get in the way. I pray that God gives us questions to ask our hosts, friends, and students that invite the Holy Spirit into the conversational mix and the boldness to tell His stories. And I pray that our brains would not get in the way of our ability to love everyone always.

Feel free to join me in praying for our T&M team as we are en route to Shanghai, and eventually our final destinations of Thailand and Malaysia. Pray for joy for the journey, open eyes, and God's presence. We are excited for all that this adventure may hold in the weeks to come!