I'm in Korea

I'm currently sitting in a cafe at Incheon International Airport, waiting for our one o'clock flight to Frankfurt. Today's been good so far. It's been restful and easy-going.
That's not to say that yesterday wasn't those things. :)

Actually, yesterday was a wonderful blessing in many ways. Despite the LONGEST check-in line ever and a delay in taking off from Xiamen Airport (not at all a surprise), we were thrilled to witness blessing after blessing come throughout the trip. From cheaper luggage prices, to refunded money (still not clear on how that happened), to an easy meeting with a friend who was able to lead us directly to our hotel, to another discount, to a dinner at Taco Bell (scoff if you'd like but it's been over two years, and the last few months have been especially difficult), to a soft bed to spend the night on.
Even though I was fighting some head pain and nausea - which was probably more anxiety than any bug or ailment - I found myself smiling and thanking Jesus for the many blessings and the assurance that he is with us through this journey; from the beginning.
This morning, I had a moment to pause and enjoy. I thought about the many goodbyes that have been said in the last few weeks. Thought about the many who have joined with us in prayer for this next journey. Thought about how many promises have been given for this next season. Thought about the wonderful fact that we didn't have to rush to get to the airport this morning. :)
This morning I got a Dunkin Donuts coffee and I had a Taco Bell burrito for brunch. (Stop judging!!!)
I'm satisfied. No. I'm beyond satisfied.
I'm blessed. Beyond measure.
And I believe that this is just the beginning of what's to come.
Saying yes to this adventure meant a whole new dependance on Daddy. A whole new level of faith that I haven't known before. A whole new experience.

Someone asked me recently if I was glad to be leaving China. My answer: "I've been happy in China for four years because I know that this is where God wanted me those years. I'm happy to leave China now because I know that it's what God has told me to do."
I'm excited to be moving to Germany. I really am. Never did I ever think that this would be my life. But I'm thankful that it is. I think about the stories that I'm collecting and the experiences that I'm sharing and the lives that I'm witnessing, and I think, "wow! THIS is my life."
But the thing that has always gotten me the most excited is knowing that I'm right where God wants me  to be. So whether I'm in China or Seoul or Freiburg or somewhere in Africa or Australia or the United States, it really makes no difference to me. God loves all of those people. And if that's where he's sending me, it probably for a reason worth witnessing. I want to be there.
I'm thankful for this life, despite the "sacrifices" it's cost me. It's not always easy. It's certainly not convenient. And while perhaps a little glamorous at times, there are real tears, fears and brokenness that happens regularly.
Be excited with me. But please don't forget to pray. And obey! You never know what God will do with one who is willing to obey. Love you all!

Here We Go!!

What I want you to know without a doubt from this blog is that this move to Germany is nothing short of a step of obedience to my Master.

In the midst of all the glamour and glitz that comes with the statement “I’m moving to Europe”…

despite

my worldly desires to complete a degree program….

and even (for some) my seeming inability to stay in one place for more than a few years at a time,

this move is not about restlessness, it’s not about practicality, it’s not about experience.

It’s about God.

In the beginning of this process, I wondered what the point of such a move really was. I suspected that if I were to go to Germany to study that I would have a great opportunity to witness to other college students and work with student ministries within the local body.

But then…one evening I was informed, by a friend, of a conference that is happening in Germany the week before we are due to arrive. At the time however we were unsure of the dates, and hoping that we might actually be able to attend. So I jumped online and looked up the Awakening conference. I began talking to God about how wonderful it would be to get to be a part of it when I felt the Spirit speaking quietly, “you will be there for follow up.”

“OH! Ok…” I said.

The next day was our weekly prayer meeting with a few friends and after quite a bit of time of the Spirit stirring my spirit about His desires to be seen in Europe, Jo and I received a word that was based out of Haggai 2: 1, 3- 9:

“In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet,….Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua…the High Priest. Be strong, all of you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.”

Here’s what this said to us:

Firstly, “In the seventh month on the twenty-first day…” At the time of this passages first reading, our expected departure date was July 20, which would put our arrival date in Germany on the 21^st. As it is, we will actually be leaving China on the 21^st of July. Either way, the date was enough to catch our attention and recognize that God was about to speak to us.

“Who of you is left…?” For those of you who are not aware, this year is the 70^th anniversary of WWII and the Nuremburg trials. And there was a recent reminder/awareness of this as we heard this passage. Since WWII, there has not been another significant “kingdom” to redeem or bring any kind of glory to Germany, or even Europe really. The world has desperately been seeking a kingdom that would fulfill and prosper the people, and that has yet to happen. The more we strive, the further we seem to get. But He is not letting us go

The call to “be strong” in the face of seeming hopelessness is spoken to the current governor, again to the High Priest, and then again to the people as a whole. As if to say, “this is not just a word of solace for little people, but I want every one of you to know – from the bottom to the top – that you need only to remain strong in your faith, for I have not forgotten the promise that I made to you.”

So WORK!

Whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever your role, work out your faith. Put it in action. Let it be more than just words.

Beyond all this, I’m sensing an overarching message of hope that is being communicated through ALL lands. Catch that? ALL

No matter what country you’re currently living in or claim as “home”, there is an undeniable awareness to God’s movement.

God is shaking nations.

In China. In America In Africa In Australia. Even in Europe.

To the ends of the world, He is at work. And we should be too.

There is an awakening that is happening and we would be wise to pay attention. You have a part to play in all of this as well.

Over the last months I’ve heard a lot of negativity about the spiritual darkness that is prevalent in Europe. I’ve even heard some profess that the only way God will be made known there again is if it is done in the miraculous, because the intellectual argument just wont work there. But I challenge you with this.

It is only by the supernatural, miraculous work of the Spirit in our hearts that any of us ever come to a saving knowledge of Christ. No matter who or where you are. And in Europe, who would know better how to make God known, than God himself?? J He knows. And he’s already begun that miraculous work.

For some reason He’s felt inclined to invite me alongside Him in this miraculous work. And I feel completely inadequate. This scripture in Haggai is not the only word that I’ve received about this move to confirm that God is on the move and taking me with Him to Europe.

For me there have been prophetic words, other scriptures, messages, and quiet stirrings to continue moving me forward.

What has he invited you to be a part of where you are?

This transition, as exciting as it is, is not going to be a cake walk. I would love your prayers and support. As nothing Good comes easy, I’ve already seen opposition come against us.

Upon arrival, I will need to go to the school with my documents, and hopefully find a job and a place to live pretty quickly. I will have an interview with the school in August before I find out if they see fit to accept me. (I’m trusting that since God said go, he’ll take care of the acceptance as well.) Beyond that, my prayer is that I will be submitted and receptive to the Spirit’s leading. I’m asking for practical provision as well as spiritual courageousness. The next few years are going to be all new for me in many, many ways.