It's crazy to think I started the "10 day" countdown for our Summer Project Mission over a week ago. On Friday, this week, I will head to Dallas for a 'briefing' collecting last minute details, finally establishing exactly what city/ies I'll be in for the majority of the summer & spending the night in a comfy Hilton Garden Suite Hotel bed before the international dorm life engulfs us. I'm not sure exactly what briefing will look like but I know as soon as I walk in, my access to the Internet or cellular device will be omitted, which I'm not bothered by at all. I'm glad to have a break from distractions. I'm glad to have the communication barriers taken out of the equation to just go, experience the culture first-hand & ultimately, get to live life with those around me. I love to spend quality time with people. I love to love on people in person, I'd choose that any day.
I'm not an advocate for cell phones and texting at all, the more I think about it. I've most enjoyed my summers without them, outside, throwing out the static to really be still before and hear from God. I'm looking forward to that. Maybe I'll be less dependent on mine when I return, I'm looking forward to that as well.
In the wee hours of Monday morning I will be flying halfway across the world. I'm not nervous, really. I'm excited. I'm encouraged. I can't believe this is real.
I love my team. They say we will be family upon our return but in certain ways I already feel strong ties with them. We have already been through trials and hardship, joy and overwhelming happiness, we have grown together spiritually, ate some really great BBQ & prayed hours together. It's almost as though we can foresee the ways God is going to change our lives this summer and know coming out of it that to fully understand it is to have experienced it, that mutual experience under our belts will change us, grow us, establish some firm, unbreakable ties.
As the countdown turns to single digit numbers, I am also reminded of some things we will face that will not be easy. Language barriers. I really hope that everyone we meet can understand enough English to grasp what we are trying to show them. I pray against any confusion or misunderstanding. I pray nobody gets by without hearing the Truth, that it isn't because of language variances that we can not communicate.
There are other things as well: safety, traveling, jet-lag, cultural adjustment, the hearts of those we will meet, ...so much. Be praying, please.
This entire process, thus far has truly brought to light many flaws in my character. Pride, selfishness and ignorance. I am confident, however, that God makes all things new & that from the ashes of my life, he will bring treasure. Through this summer project, through the people He has selected to go, to serve Him in this context, there will come light & Truth & salvation.
& to Him will be the glory.
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