Reflections on a Whirlwind Trip!

I just returned from a whirlwind tour of Southeast Asia: 9 flights and 4 countries in 13 days!  It was incredible to be able to see the schools, experience different cultures, and spend time with the current TeachBeyond members.

A "taste" of Southeast Asia!

Representing the TeachBeyond Mobilization team in Asia!

This trip reminded me of several key points about TeachBeyond:

No school or project is the same!  While the mission of transformational education remains the same, it plays out differently in various contexts.  Each school in each location has its own distinct challenges and blessings.  This makes it difficult to summarize the work of TeachBeyond in one sentence, but it means that there are opportunities for people with a wide variety of personalities, skills, and passions!  The conversations and experiences from this trip will be an invaluable resource as I guide future applicants toward a good "fit" for overseas service.

Quality education is a gift to a community.  Schools focused on serving missionary kids empower the parents of their students to stay on the field.  Others geared toward nationals have unique opportunities for outreach.  In each setting, good teaching and well-designed programs are a platform for exemplifying Christ to students, their families, and whole communities.

Praying on the site of the future Grace International School campus

Dinner with TeachBeyond members in Chiang Rai

There will always be a need for more workers.  School leaders in each location expressed gratitude for their partnership with TeachBeyond, yet also emphasized the overwhelming need for more staff.  They aren't looking for just anyone to "fill" the positions, but they welcome applicants for all sorts of positions - from librarian to seminary professor to teacher trainer.

 It was so fun to see friends serving around the world!

I'm exhausted from many hours on airplanes and two weeks of grueling travel, but I'm energized by this firsthand glimpse into God's work through TeachBeyond in this region of the world!  More than ever, I believe that God is at work through humble, surrendered servants who "shine like stars as [they] hold out the Word of life" (Phil. 2:15-16).  Greater things are yet to come.

Do you know someone (maybe it's you!) who might be interested in serving overseas?

How is God calling you to be part of reaching the nations with the Gospel?

Asia-Bound!

That's right... I'm headed to southeast Asia tonight!

Who:  Six TeachBeyond staff from the Mobilization and Member Care/Personnel teams
What:  A whirlwind trip to our schools/projects in the region
When:  October 14-26
Where:  Three countries in southeast Asia
Why:  To get an overview of the schools and encourage our members there!

I'm excited for this opportunity to reconnect with TeachBeyond friends who serve in southeast Asia, as well as gain a better perspective for recruiting for the region.  I would really appreciate your prayers for our trip.  Please pray for...

• Energy:  Pray that I'll be able to sleep on our flights and have energy for our jam-packed schedule!
• Safety & Health:  Pray that my cold would not progress any further, and that we would have safety and good health throughout the two weeks we are away.
• Flexibility:  This is always key for serving overseas!  Pray that I would trust the Lord with the details as I step out of my comfort zone.
• Encouragement:  Pray that my team would be an encouragement to the staff and students at each of the schools we visit, as well as a witness to their communities.

Promises from Psalm 91:

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in Whom I trust.'
Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His feathers, 
and under His wings, you will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart...
For He will command His angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways."

Grandma's Words of Wisdom

It's been three weeks since my grandma went to be with Jesus.

Grandma was - and will continue to be - an inspirational role model to me.  She was a woman of fervent prayer and deep trust in the Lord.  Grandma taught for almost thirty years, so it's no surprise that my mom, two of my cousins, and I have each had classrooms of our own!  I see so much of myself in Grandma: eagerly welcoming newcomers, enthusiastically hosting friends, optimistically embracing life as an adventure, and brimming with stories to tell.

Home video from January 1994 / Family vacation in Florida

October 2015 / Family gathered to remember and celebrate Grandma's life

My grandmother was a woman of many words of wisdom.  (Or, as she would probably say with a laugh, "a woman of many words"!)  Along with other members of the family, I had the opportunity to speak at Grandma's Life Celebration last weekend, so I decided to share excerpts from Grandma's emails over the years.  I'm sure she wouldn't mind me sharing these with you, as well.

Grandma's Words of Wisdom

God is love, and is in love with each of us.  Take time frequently to share this love.  Obedience to God's commands is the way we show Him our love. 

He commands us to be encouragers.  Don't let the busy pace of your daily responsibilities interfere with opportunities to be an encourager.  Let people know you recognize their kindnesses. It’s fun to be an encourager!

Our awareness of the Lord's leading and His provisions makes Him smile when He sees how we lean upon Him for strength and guidance. 

Sometimes when things do not go according to our plans, we are amazed at how God's provision for the day is even better than we'd dreamed.  Who said seniors are inflexible?  It's only our joints!

Sometimes God uses us as PART of the process, not its completion.  Following His lead is our only responsibility.  Our daily request should be that God will show us anyone we can encourage or help, that we will not pass up any opportunity.  

One tiny caution: get your rest, take care of a minor sore throat, for good health is the backbone of productive activity.

In all uncomfortable situations, I try – magic word: try – to see a benefit.  Though it may be small, finding it gives me the peace He promised.

In happy moments, praise God

In difficult moments, seek God

In quiet moments, worship God

In painful moments, trust God

In every moment, thank God.   

He loves to hear your voice.

This may be a year of political and economic turmoil, but we can trust in God's Word to strengthen, encourage, and guide us throughout.

God is always confirming His will.  Sometimes I find myself rushing ahead of Him, not listening closely enough, not quietly waiting, but He is there!  

Take advantage of every opportunity to see the world.  Life’s journey is a wonderful adventure.  Hold tightly to the realization that no step is unknown to the One who has created and loves you. 

Only one life to live, soon to be past.  Only what’s done for Christ will last.  Finish well, for many arms wait to hug you…. Mine included.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6

A sticky note I found in Grandma's Bible