an ELIC welcome!

ohhhhh man. Its good to be back in Asia. I won't lie, the journey was long and difficult. But I'm so glad I'm finally here. ELIC has the very best people! Fellow team leaders are amazing. ELIC staff is oh so great! and the folks that are assisting in training. . . da best!! So if you're coming, GET EXCITED! and if you're following what's going on in Asia, be sure to see the Camp blog too! http://campblog.elic.org/ features a lovely picture of myself and Megan Wynd soak and wet after an outrageous downpour on the way up the mountain for our training retreat sight. Speaking of Wynd, its been so good to be reunited with her. We're pretty much different body types of the same person. Its fantastic. I was warmly welcomed by her and this. . .'The Skip's' is my fave. It kinda makes Asia, Asia. Chocolate and peanut butter together like none other.

In our team leader free time we all usually sit around in the same room and communicate via internet connection. with laughs out loud all around. which is what we're doing now as i type this up. And on that note, its not even ten, but jet lag is kinda kicking in. .

asia. round 2.

Well, departure is here again. I'm waking up at 5:30am to get ready to board a flight back across the world. I'm returning to Hong Kong for five weeks of my summer and I've never had more mixed emotions in my life.
I'm anxious. I love Asia, I know I love Asia. But this is a summer when I could really see if Asia is it for me. If its more than just a place to invest a few summers while in college. To be completely honest, I don't know what to anticipate in the way of such things.
I'm inadequate. I'm honestly not sure I've ever felt more inadequate about anything in my life. And here I am, preparing to lead a team on the other side of the world while we work together in teaching English. Very little about that statement makes very much sense to me. Thankfully, I have been reminded of a verse in second Corinthians:

"That is why, for Christ’s sake,
I delight in weaknesses,
in insults, in hardships,
in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong."
(12:10)

I'm excited. I'm going back to one of the most beautiful places I've ever laid my eyes on. I get to be reunited with some friends from last year. and I get to connect with hearts that are yearning so heavily for the Gospel. Asian culture is magnificent. Chopsticks, walking everywhere, dark hair, tonal language. ohhhh man. I'm excited.
and yet, my heart remains heavy. Be praying for restoration. Be praying for guidance. Be praying for strength. Thank you, my friends.