This week when I was driving into my apartment complex, I saw an older Asian man strolling back from what looked to be a leisurely spring walk.  Dressed with a grandpa's hat on his head and cute grandpa outfit, he happened to be walking into my apartment at the same time as I.  I decided to say hi and after he didn't say anything, I said hi a couple more times before he tried to mumble something out of his mouth and turned away.  I felt a little sad that I may have embarrassed him and started to walk into my apartment with tears streaming down my eyes.  Thoughts of "this is going to be me in a couple months" ,"no one is going to understand me" flooded over me.  Walking into a new culture, new life, new ways of doing things, not being understood, not being able to communicate nor to have a simple conversation with some one like I encountered this week hit me. Its setting in that I am leaving in 3 months and will be facing what this man faces here in America.

 

So many different emotions in this transition stage.  Excitement, nervousness, sadness, joy.  All bundled into this walk of mine.   It brings me joy to see God using me as I prepare in others lives.  A teacher invited me to come & share to her high school class my story, mission calling, and how God turns beauty from challenging times in our lives if we let him a couple weeks ago.  They want to interact with me while I am in Thailand.  It has also been joy seeing my assistant at the Teen Center develop a heart for missions and is going to Thailand this summer on short term trip.  And it has been a joy to start & give some of my possessions and furnishings to my younger sister who just moved out on her own.   On the flip side, it saddens me to have just 4 more weeks at Teen Center and say good byes to them.

 

My fundraising is coming along.  I have but $200 more monthly support to raise. I have also found out my living situation in Thailand!! I will have a 2 bedroom apartment with my andlord being my ministry leader!  One of her ministry leaders is leaving in July, so she offered it to me.  Normally they wait until you arrive and stay at a hotel a couple weeks to find what something. But, this apartment is close where I will be and it is a relieve to know that she will be on premise, some of the apartment furnishings are provided, and she will help me through living my first year.  As well I found out my roommate is young lady my age named Eve.  She is 28 years old and is Thai missionary that is an English translator for the mission that I am serving, YWAM.  What a blessing I can see of God providing me an 'in' in the Thai culture and having a roommate that can be a language helper to me.   

 

This past month I  have been reading through 1-2 Corinthians.  2 Corinthians 7:2 has stuck out to me  "Make room for us in your hearts."  This has been key for me as I let go of my American identity and saying good bye to things here, that God is desiring to make room in my heart for new things and the Thai people.  To trust Him in it.  He is my never-changing constant that walks with me through all the transitions ahead. 

 

Well I just wanted to keep you posted on me...shoot me an email back and let me know what is shaking in your life.

 

Love,

 

angela