For my 15th birthday I asked for a set of luggage. Some may find that strange, but I knew even then that I was born for travel and adventure. Maybe being born in Japan and flying on planes since I was 3 months old has something to do with it, who knows? Anyway, I loved my brand new, shiny, Navy-blue Jeep brand luggage, that held the hope and promise of thrilling adventures to far off places. It only took a few years for me to wear out that set and need new suitcases yet again, but if my suitcases could talk, oh the stories they would tell of fantastic and fun times traveling to spots around the world and back again.
Some of those places I visited for a quick 40 hours (thank you, RyanAir, for 5 euro tickets from Berlin to Shannon, Ireland), others for a few weeks, and some still for a couple years. Every time I went, I experienced a new culture, often a new language, a new way of seeing the world and living life. And still now, every time I go, I want to see more, to taste more, to stay longer, to learn more, to know people and discover all there is to see.
But my above-all-else favorite part of traveling is seeing God in the midst of “different”, seeing how the gospel truly is for every person in every culture, and learning how He can use my little, insignificant life to show His love to others and bring Him glory. I bring nothing to the table that I have not already been given, and I humbly give it back to the Lord to be used however He sees fit. For a few years those gifts were used here in the US, but now, it is time to go again and take His love to a lost and hurting world.
There are only 3 weeks left before I fly halfway around the world and see about this new life in Nepal. I’m mostly excited, although at the same time I’m working to manage my expectations as I walk into completely unknown territory. I desire to be a learner, an explorer, a listener, open to others and to what the Lord has to tell me. A year and a half ago I saw a video that started a dream to serve orphans in Nepal, and now it is becoming a reality. Through every step He has been faithful, for He cannot be anything else, and I am thankful that He is the one in charge of this expedition, no matter what happens.
On an almost unrelated note, today Little E and I are celebrating her first birthday. She turned 1 year old yesterday, so when she wakes up from her nap we are going to The Cheesecake Factory for a special birthday lunch. Maybe I’ll post a picture on here later. It is amazing that 6 months have already gone by since I started nannying her, and hard to believe that I must soon say goodbye to this precious little girl. Next week will be my last week with her, and although I know she won’t remember me after a few months go by, I am going to miss her.
A Mosaic 