Tag Archives: transitions

And So The Journey Begins!

Posted on by
Reply

Last Saturday, with myself, her parents, and a good friend who has already served several years in China, we saw Bethany off as she walked through the security line to board her plane.  Thirty six hours, and two layovers later, Bethany arrived at her destination in China to jump into her training with Amity!

It’s took about half a week, but we finally got a communication schedule down between the two of us.  Between poor Internet signals and hardware issues, it’s been a hard transition.  But we are making it.  One day at a time, but we are making it.

So now, when it comes to State-Side tasks, it’s up to me to get things taken care of.  This includes selling stuff off, packing things up, and finding places to store the few things we will be keeping.  Condensing my life down to nearly 100 pounds isn’t an easy task!

Thankfully, a local family has offered me usage of their spare bedroom for a few weeks so I can get out of the apartment sooner. Another family has graciously offered me usage of their spare car when I sell my own car.  It’s these kind of caring, giving hearts that will make this transition much easier.  Bethany and I are so grateful to be surrounded by such open and generous people!

I’m still working on raising the money for my plane ticket, and still looking for places to store our items while we are gone. But I haven’t given up, and know that – in due time – all of this will come together.  The packing has begun, and the selling-off has started.

I’ll get over there and join Bethany in our service to the Chinese people soon enough.  One step at a time. One day at a time. Either way, the Journey has begun!

Hello World!

Posted on by
3

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!”