Update #2 from Asia

Borrowing a computer that is able to get on here and send out a quick update! :)

My team now has less than 2 weeks left in Asia!
These last few weeks have been such an incredible adventure.

We have seen people come to know the Lord and accept Jesus' sacrifice for the first time, we've learned so much more about ourselves as individuals and grown significantly in our relationships with Jesus, we've lived in a remote village, explored places where there are no other believers, led worship in places where there had previously only ever been idol worship, and done research on minority people groups as we survey the possibilities of providing them with long-term community development/church planting/bible translations.

More detailed stories will come later on when I'm home and have time to process through my journal and post a whole lot more in-depth. God is really glorifying himself in huge ways through this journey, and I'm super stoked to share that with you!

This internship hasn't been easy, it's been really challenging and difficult at times, but it's been completely worth it.

(Getting chased out of an outhouse at 3am by a rooster isn't exactly an amazing experience...neither is crashing a moped... and doing laundry in a river kind of stinks literally and figuratively... )

I can truly say that every tough moment has been entirely worth the incredible experiences and opportunities I've been given so far- and I can't wait to see what God has planned next for the next couple of weeks here.

I'm really excited to be able to show you guys pictures of some of the places we've been able to travel to! There are so many incredible people and places and experiences I genuinely can't wait to tell you all about.  I've never been to such beautiful places and experienced so many amazing things in such a short few weeks!

I really do miss my family and friends- you guys are my hugest support and I can't even begin to describe how much I love and appreciate you all.

Your continued prayers mean the world to me!


Prayer needs:

-PRAISE! We recently welcomed into the family 2 new believers and baptized them in the river right out front of their home. Please pray that they will be built up and strengthened in their faith long after we are gone, and that they will continue to learn and grow in their walk with Jesus through listening to the audio bible we left with them.

-We met with a family the other day who live in a difficult-to-reach place and who are the only believers in their entire tribe. Please pray for encouragement and guidance for them!

-One of the interns from another team in Africa contracted malaria, please pray for healing and comfort as she recovers.

-Traveling to remote places can be difficult, especially on a surveying trek where none of us is 'exactly' sure where we'll end up or where we will sleep that night. Please pray for safety and clarity for me and my team as we navigate to and from these locations. We got back from a surveying trek yesterday, and we leave town tomorrow for our last surveying trek- we'll be gone for about 5 days. Prayer is greatly appreciated!

Love you guys! :)

Greetings from Asia!

This is my first (and, possibly my only) post from Asia! My team and I are healthy and excited and well provided for! I have been here for a week now, and am feeling very well adjusted to the time change. This is my first opportunity with internet to update you guys on this part of the internship! We have been traveling almost daily, plunging ourselves into so many rich experiences and relationships that are an incredible gift from God! Every day is such a unique adventure. I sometimes have to stop and remind myself that this is real life- I am here, Jesus is here, and he is showing me the amazing ways he is already moving in these places he has guided us to.  This part of the internship is already hands-down one of the most amazing, difficult, exciting, terrifying, and epic adventures I have ever had! And this is only week 1!

I am writing this post from my phone, and since the internet is slow there is lag and it's difficult to share some of my stories in sufficient detail. I have been journaling every day, recording as much as I can about all of the ways I'm seeing God move in Asia and move in my own heart, so I will be posting journal excerpts and stories as I am able to (even if that can't happen til I return to the states- it is very unclear whether or not I will have internet access again, and when I'd have it, etc).

Knowing you are all praying for me and supporting me is one of the biggest blessing I could imagine for myself- Thankyou SO much! Your prayers truly make such a difference.

Prayer needs:

-Strength for the team- pray for unity and awareness of God's leading.

-My new friend A****'s grandfather passed away yesterday. Please pray peace and comfort over her and her family and that God would use this time to draw her family to himself, and away from idol worship.

- Perseverance for the new groups of believers we are encountering, that God would provide for them and encourage them daily.

-Please pray that God richly blesses each believer who has hosted us, provided for us, and expressed such beautiful Christ-like generosity towards us.

-I was blessed with a unique opportunity to prayer-walk with some new friends who are heavily involved in anti-trafficking work in one of the cities, and we spent one night walking through an area of town heavily populated with brothels and casinos. God's heart breaks for these girls so much more than mine does. so please pray that he would call workers to minister to these girls and be the catalyst for change in this city!

Obedience > Bravery

The Dallas days have come to an end!

The last language lessons have happened,
Bilingual songbooks have been printed,
Gifts have been given,
Projects have been completed,
And goodbyes have already begun to happen as we prepare to step into the next part of our journey.

Sometimes, it feels as though I've been here for months, other times it feels like just a few days.

There's such a strange mix of emotions in my heart right now.

I'm excited, and terrified.
I'm overwhelmed, and numb.
I'm thankful, and dissatisfied.

I'm wondering how is it possible to feel so many conflicting, contradictory emotions!

I'm not sure if/when I'll have internet access, so I might not be updating this blog very often until I get back and can post pictures and excerpts from my journal.

If I end up finding internet access, I'll send out brief updates on this blog when/if I can!

Can't believe this is finally happening!

Several people have approached me and my teammates and remarked how "brave" they think we are.
"Wow- you're going to _____? You all must be very brave!"

But, this really doesn't feel like bravery- because I'm scared. We all are.

In my mind, we really aren't particularly brave; we're just a group of inexperienced people, in way over our heads, pursuing obedience as best as we know how to.
      And right now, that obedience is leading us to Asia.

As always, your prayers mean so much more to me than you realize!
Prayer matters, and it makes such a tangible difference.

Thank you!


Prayer needs:

-Strength and perseverance for me and the team.
     The first few days in Asia will be some of the most difficult. Please pray that we keep our focus on Christ when (not 'if') things get really tight.

-Unity
     Please pray that our team experiences a renewed sense of unity as we remind one another of our common purpose.

-Health; please pray against sicknesses and minor aches and pains which could get alot worse under the stress of travel

-There are a few families in Asia whom we are already connected with who we hope will accept the truth of the gospel during our time with them. Please pray for open hearts and teachable spirits!

(Sneak peek at the cover design for the bilingual songbook. :) This flower represents the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.)