Reflections after 4 years from the mission field

Exactly 4 years from this time, I was coming back to America after living in China for 2 years straight as a missionary.  I seem to forget that a lot of people don't know this little fact about me, especially the friends I have made over the past 4 years.  At times it feels like just yesterday I was walking the streets of China, taking public transportation everywhere, going to school studying full time and sharing the Gospel with many who have never heard.  At other times it feels like such a long time ago since so much has happened since then.  Though I don't talk about my experiences as much anymore, I will never forget all the Lord did in my life those 2 years and the wonderful memories I made.  It was definitely the hardest 2 years of my life thus far, but oh so good at the same time.  Besides marrying Justin, I had never been so sure about a particular decision in my life.  I knew since high school that the Lord was calling me to be a missionary for at least 2 years after I graduated college.  I think most people thought it was a phase, but the Lord continually confirmed that calling to me over and over all throughout college.  Shortly after graduating college, I was off with my 4 huge trunks and suitcases of luggage, and flying 2 days straight with 6 different planes. I arrived to a big city where I was met by a teammate to get some stuff done there before flying to my smaller city.  I somehow made it okay, though none of my 4 suitcases/trunks made it!  Since ALL of my luggage was lost, we had to stay in a hotel in the big city much longer than what we had anticipated.  In the meantime, I was told to get out in the culture and eat the local food as much as possible.  After doing that for a few days, I became incredibly sick with the worst stomach sickness you could possible think of.  At one point, I thought I was going to die. Okay, not really, but that was how awful I felt.  On top of being horribly sick, the hotel toilet also broke, which is a complete nightmare when you're that sick.  Adding the fact that I had no luggage, I guess you could say I was definitely questioning if I heard God wrong!  Thankfully, I did survive, and my luggage finally did arrive, and I ended up loving the city, the people, and the culture more than I ever could have imagined. 


I wish I could say that the hardest part was behind me, but what part about living overseas is easy anyway?  Throughout my entire 2 years, I had to say goodbye to practically all my teammates as they had to leave the country one by one all for different reasons (medical and government issues).  It was rough to say the least, but I'm reminded by how much the Lord taught me during those 2 years.  I became incredibly independent and had no choice but to rely on the Lord for strength daily.  I learned so much from the people and their hospitality and how much they value family and not "stuff".  I grew and was stretched in ways I never thought possible.  And at the same time, I loved it. 

I have been thinking about missions a lot lately and how the Lord wants Justin and I to be involved here in the states.  I'm thankful I married a man who has a passion for evangelism.  I have learned so much from him and his heart for the lost over the past 3 years.  Before we were dating, Justin signed up for an international friendship ministry through our church where he was paired up with a Chinese friend who was living in Houston.  Justin and his friend hit it off so well, they even went on vacation together to Colorado!  I love that about my husband.  Though he may not have lived overseas like I have, he has ministered to many people, and is constantly sharing the Gospel with the lost. 

I hope Justin and I can go back to visit the city where I lived one day.  Being in Colombia together brought so much joy to our lives serving together in foreign missions and evangelism.  We know missions will always be a part of our family's life.  We don't want to plan our entire future of where we will live and where we will be as we have no idea where or what the Lord will call us to do.  We want to be open to where He wants us and we are excited to see the journey He will take us on together!