It’s been 19 years since I first visited Asia as an 18-year-old for an outreach program. It was surreal to visit the town where I used to live. Whole areas were almost exactly the same as 19 years ago. Time travel is real! I stood in a bookstore where I used to buy stationery, in the exact spot where I used to stand deliberating which card to buy.

So much has changed since those days, but at the same time so much is the same—my desire to reach the nations, my willingness to immerse myself in a foreign culture and call it home, and my continued pursuit to know Jesus more.

I started some new spiritual disciplines while on the trip, such as daily journaling and writing out scripture while visiting cafes or in the mornings upon waking. I found these to be really helpful and am continuing on with these new routines now that I’m home. 

I think my takeaway from my sabbatical and time of reflection is that though the environment here on this side may be challenging, I can also find opportunities for joy and can experience God—delighting in the small things (like writing psalms with pen in hand or taking the time to stare out at beautiful scenery).

Now that I’m back, I’ve been connecting with a few guys who are keen to grow in their faith. One of them in particular is preparing for immersion, and when he talks about Jesus, his face shines. It’s so cool. Pray for him, though; he’s had strong spiritual opposition and even dark visitations. He tries to come regularly to fellowship but isn’t always able to.

The other guy I’m journeying with seems to have grown a lot in his faith and is now super excited to read the Word. He is still having some back-and-forth moments, but the desire is there. I read Henri Nouwen, and he literally quoted my thoughts almost verbatim. He mentioned how sometimes we feel powerlessness, but our presence, or rather the Presence inside of us, is bringing life to those around us even without us knowing.

I’m praying that the Lord works in these guys’ lives and in the meantime I am attempting to reach out in compassion and love to walk alongside them.

My residence application is in process right now (I’m applying for 2 years). I feel like I desire to do more now that my language has reached working fluency, but I’m not quite sure how to access bigger opportunities.

“The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary.”—Isaiah 50:4

Praying God shows me…