Monday, February 28, 2011

LESSON 1: Waiting in the most INCONVENIENT places and out of our comfort zones!


(Grateful for my Goldfishies! mmm)



Good Evening to many of you! It is around 7pm your time and 11am my time... Tuesday!

So just a quick start... or more like a long start, but quick cap.

Flew out of San Fran at midnight, got a wonderful seat by the Emergency exit next to a super friendly couple that just smiled and spoke English, but were very conscious of space, and I curled myself up into a little ball next to to the window and slept 10 of the 14 hours! Must have been tired, and will SO help with minimalizing jet-lag, where if you've ever gotten it bad, going to Australia it took me 4 days to adjust! It can be quite a set back. But I am thanking Jesus for rest and strength right now! The man in the seats next to me told me that his lady was the best sleeper on a plane he had ever met, but after meeting me I became the number one sleeping queen on a plane. SCORE!

The inconvenience has been the 8 hours of layover in Taipei that I completely wasn't paying attention to or didn't really have an option when booking my ticket! So I have been here since 6 am and don't hop onto a plane till a little before 2. Being so anxious just to get to Bangkok and settle in, one of the reasons I felt to share this part of the trip is watching what God does in the midst of waiting. It's uncomfortable and often times, all I feel like saying to Him is: (moment of honesty!) "Will you just fast forward already!!?" I'm cold, hungry for real food, missing home and being a part, feeling a lone, stiff and bored and can think of a million other things I'd rather be doing" But He still meets us there...

It has been difficult finding His Presence in the midst of a busy overcrowded unfamiliar Chinese-speaking frantic airport, but in the last hour, I began to search and step out to embrace what was around me. I found a cafe, grabbed a cup of coffee (which was perfectly satisfying) picked up the book Practicing His Presence, and retreated back to the freezing terminal to utilize some free wifi. Returning back, the terminal was completely empty of passengers and the leftover stuartess' had thrown on some techno music to practice some coordinated dance moves. Brought me a lot of joy to watch them, and see a shift unexpectedly happen in a place I was sitting for so many hours. I snuck to a seat to plug in my computer and hop on skype which I was then stoked to catch the Monday night micro-church leaders meeting at Andreni's back home: Betsy, Ben, Becca, Stacy, Nate (and honorary Matt) which just blessed me to see all their lovely faces and laugh with them.

I started to feel a switch from focusing on the circumstances and environment to seeing how to make the best of it. He knows what we need, and He knows what we like. So... I share that even in the midst of what seems like a boring long stretch of time in waiting, God can make anything fun and will if we just allow Him and invite Him to. Sometimes He does it even when we don't ask! So Cheers to you God! You make it worth it!

Anyways, a bit of revelation along the journey so far.
Been listening to John Mark McMillan and it wrecks me every time, drawing me closer to His heart!
So I share, so you too can be wrecked for good!
Enjoy (enter into joy!) in the midst of your circumstances!



Sunday, February 27, 2011

Flying out...

Hello fellow-family!

So many of you know, I have an opportunity after a few years of waiting and seeking right timing, to go to Thailand!

I leave tonight at midnight (arrive in Bangkok 4pm MARCH 1st) meeting up with 14 other amazing world changers with other co-IRIS Ministry leaders from around the world (check out: www.irismin.org to learn more about the heart behind IRIS) for 2 weeks, starting 1 week in Bangkok connecting with Night Light (www.nightlightbangkok.com) and Bangkok YWAM (http://www.ywamthai.org/bangkok/) and few other local ministries, and then moving onto Pattaya to work with my dear friend Jessica Mock, who God connected me with almost 2 and a half years ago and been waiting to work with. The team will be in Pattaya for one week, and then I will be staying an extra 3 weeks with Jess to tag team, support and absorb the culture/ministry time.

The trip is mainly what we are calling "taste and see". Going to minister with other ministries, in mind of looking to start an IRIS base in Thailand. Although things are lining up, tickets are bought, places planned to stay, the heart and mission is to absorb and pour out where need and see what God is doing in the land! As mentioned we will be working with other ministries that reach out to the poor in the streets/slums, and mainly working with prostitution, sex slavery and ministering in bars and brothels.

I am so excited, I cannot contain the anticipation. I feel like I've been sitting on a lifetime of passion that is just waiting to pour out and give away! Thank you Jesus! I mainly wanted to share this with those that have been a part of the journey with me and supported me all along the way, believing the vision God has given me, walking me through healing and brokenness and being family to me through times of need and changes.

This is a very exciting year and I feel a stake in the ground for what's to come, and I am happy to share and tell so that you know you are a part of this. Although this is what the Lord has burrowed deep in my heart, you are a part of the breakthrough and freedom yet to come, and your investment in my life is bringing that.

I have resigned from my full-time job, moved out of my house with my lovely roommates and into a studio, and will be taking off for the whole month of March. I will return in mid-April to continue to invest in what God is doing on the Central Coast, continue on staff with IRIS Central Coast.

This is just the beginning...

Love you guys! For way too many of you, this would not be possible if it wasn't for you being the body and being true to who God has called you to be! Thank you!

MUCH LOVE!!!
DeeDee