*This post is part of a 6-part series in which I show you my weekly reflections during the 6-week mission trip. I'll be releasing one part every week so check back often if you would like to relive my trip with me!
W E E K 1 : J U N E 1 9 ~ J U N E 2 6
Wow! I can't believe we're here in East Asia! Months and months of praying, discerning, applying, and raising support has brought me to this moment. It still feels a little surreal, like I'm in a dream. So much has happened so far!
Let's begin with briefing! I was honestly pretty nervous on the plane ride from Ohio to LAX. I didn't really know what my teammates were really like. I only knew what they looked like , and even that wasn't the most accurate because I was basing it off a Facebook profile. Once I got to LAX, I met up with two teammates. One who I already knew, so that we could Uber over to Vanguard University together. After I met them, I began getting really excited to meet everyone else!
Ecstatic. That's the best way I can describe how I felt when I met everyone else. Everyone was unbelievably friendly and it felt like I'd known them for years! That's how fast we clicked. Over the next few days of briefing, I really got to know everyone, quirks and all! I loved how even though we'd literally just met. we felt free enough to act like ourselves. Four of us girls even got matching Uniqlo shirts! If that's not team bonding, then IDK what is.
Fast forward to arriving in-country. The last time I stepped foot in East Asia was probably my sophomore year of high school. And at that time, I harbored a strong hatred for the people. Admittedly, I began sensing those old feelings coming back even as soon as we got on the plane. It honestly felt like my heart was being tugged left and right. One half of me wanted to continue hating, but the other part was telling me to try loving these people. I knew it was God trying to save my heart from listening to Satan's will. And I knew that I wanted God to win in this tug-of-war match. So I tried my best to clear my mind + heart of all previous prejudices. Once I did that, it became easier to see how kind the people of East Asia actually are.
The first few days we spent training with the STINTers (Short Term INTernational - people who spend a year or more doing missions overseas) and figuring out logistics, like SIM cards and bikes. Yesterday was the first day we spent talking to East Asia students, and it was amazing! I had a total of 2 convos with 4 students. Everyone I talked to was so kind and warm and welcoming. What surprised me was their willingness to talk to us even though they claimed their English wasn't good (honestly, it was pretty good). And they seemed to be genuinely interested in talking to us! Me and some of my other teammates even got invited to a hot pot date and I'm so excited!!
I'm aware that this will not be the case with every convo I have. I will probably face rejection at some point and the challenge will then be for me to still love them and accept the fact that it may not be in God's timing and plan for me to talk to them yet.
The students are only one example of the kindness I experienced from people here. When we were trying to get SIM cards, it was taking a lot longer than expected so the lady went into the back and pulled out all these stools so we could sit. I was definitely shocked by her generosity. And everywhere I go, the canteens, the markets, the workers always smile at me when they find out I'm a foreigner. Every time someone smiles at me, it just makes my day!
All this just goes to show God's goodness. He knew I was feeling nervous about my interactions with the people here, but He opened my eyes to see their kindness and goodness. It can still be a little difficult to love everyone here at times, but I'm really seeing that all hope is not lost for East Asia. The people here are kind, and loving, and I know for a fact that God will provide opportunities for me to love them and tell them about His truth. And I'm so excited for them to encounter His love! Till next week!
~jo