The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

“Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” Then I said, “here I am! Send me.”  Is. 6:8

 

This particular journey began in November when Mike got the call to serve at Asia Lutheran Seminary in Hong Kong. It became very clear to us that we needed to go. Saying yes to serve was the easy part. Having to wait until July to move seemed a long way off. It was easy to avoid emotions and decisions in January. We became intentional with our time spent with family and friends, such as weekly video chatting with our granddaughter. Monthly visits with our Madison kids. Weekly time with our parents.

In one way it was nice to ease into this transition. However, it also seemed to prolong the emotions and it always seemed that the topic of conversation: “When are you leaving?” was asked of us every week. We jokingly suggested that we needed a sign or a button with “July 31^st” proclaiming to our friends and acquaintances that we were moving to Hong Kong at that time.

In the back on my mind, so many questions. We had moved before but never overseas. Getting visas, what do we take, store and give away or sell? So many different changes. My career changes. Our family changes. Where will we live? Can we live in 600 square feet? Our future co-workers were fantastic answering any of our questions and being there for us through this transition. We learned about cross-cultural ministry and transitions and RAFTing (see below for suggested resources). We were asked to take a course about life in China. What I remember the most from this is that I will need to get used to ambiguity. What we realized is that we don’t know enough and will need to continue learning.

I must keep in mind that this is a journey, not a sprint. Our destination may be Hong Kong but I must enjoy all the stops in between here and there. I do not want to miss an oasis or a life lesson. I want to keep in mind that once we get to Hong Kong the journey does not end but continues in our understanding and our adjustments and there will be times when I need to slow down and be patient.

“Be still and know that I am God.” I can’t rush the changes that will be happening to me. I need constant reminders that God is in control. He has got this even if I don’t. He does not change even in the midst of all the changes in our lives. Grounding myself in God’s Word and staying connected to him in prayer and worship are the only way I can successfully transition to the life He has called me to. Here am I, send me!

Reading recommendations: Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility by Duane Elmer

Looming Transitions: Starting and Finishing Well in Cross-Cultural Service by Amy Young

Shifting Sands: A Guidebook for Crossing the Deserts of Change by Steve Donahue

Presentation by a Sarah Stellick about R.A.F.Ting