What a fitting title for the first post!  “Hello World!”  Who knew that such a simple phrase could have such a profound meaning?  Let me explain:

In the world of computer programming, getting your program to say “Hello World!” is typically the very first step in learning a new programming language.  It’s usually not a difficult task, per se, but a significant one. A “Hello World!” shows you that everything is configured properly, let’s you know that you are understanding the basics of the language you are messing with, and gives those two friendly words give you some visual feedback on your screen to show you how everything is looking from the outside.

And yet here we are.  Not only is this the first post on our first website, but this also marks the start of many firsts in our lives: This will be the first time I leave the States, the first time we’ll immerse ourselves in a foreign culture and language for two years, the first time we’ll be leaving behind friends and family for such a long period of time, and a first for serving in ministry as an occupation.  Do we understand all the complexities of these ‘firsts’ yet?  Absolutely not!  But we are beginning to understand the basics of how this will all work together, and we are beginning to get some “outside visual feedback.”  It’s going to be a complex experience, but one that will surely change our lives forever.

So, as God guides our footsteps, leads us outside our comfort zones, and teaches us further how to love on people, here we go: “HELLO WORLD!”