I think I'm supposed to say it was a hard decision to make but it really wasn't. I had been planning on going to S. Africa for the YFC General Assembly in September and I was really stoked! But then a good friend called me and asked me if I would consider returning to China. The dates were at the absolute WORST time for me to be away from the office- right in the middle of Candidate Orientation. I didn't even pursue getting permission to go. Then the earthquake hit in Chengdu and my heart literally began to ache. I wanted to go back so bad... After speaking at the first China meeting to the crew preparing to go, I knew that with every word I spoke about why people would return from Luxian changed, I was being pulled even harder and harder to go. I spent the next three nights tossing and turning in my bed and waking up with a heavy heart. It wasn't anxiety exactly, instead it was a feeling like I was making a mistake. I couldn't ignore the urge any longer. I called Steve that morning and told him I had to go and I didn't know how it was going to work but I needed him to pray. Steve said they were purchasing the tickets that very night!! Well...I'll spare you the long details but I approached my boss and told him that I needed to go to China. He was amazing and through the course of the next 2 hours, he and my other 2 bosses agreed to let me go!!! So the decision was made- I'm going to China rather than to S. Africa this fall!
Now I'm in the preparation stages of heading back to Luxian, China. This time, I'm going to with the understanding that it's going to be hot as hades there and it's going to be exhausting and it's going to once again stretch me to the impossible and I CANNOT WAIT!!!
A team of 12 of us will embark on the adventure (and the approximate 21 hours of travel!) on July 25th and will return on August 10th. It's gonna be a wild adventure and I've learned to expect the unexpected when God's involved. CHINA HERE WE COME!!
