Butterfly in the sky, I can fly twice as high

Travel day 1 - Lets do this.

I stayed up entire night last night before my trip, partly because of nerves and partly because of sheer excitement. The plane I am in is the size of a continent, and I think it has it's own timezone. I've never been a plane for more than 6 hours at a time, so a 15 hour plus another 6 hour flight is blowing my mind a little bit. I was pleasantly surprised to find that The King and I was an in-flight movie option to watch, so I've been sleeping/watching it for a while now. Did you know Thailand used to be Siam? And the movie takes place in Bangkok? I feel a bit like Anna right now. I just hope I have the opportunity to sing an inspiring rendition of "Getting to Know You" with a group of Thais sometime during my own adventure in Bangkok.

In other news, I'm glad to report that I seemed to have successfully navigated the four of the five classic stages of grief and have moved onto the "acceptance" stage (Psych nerd. Don't knock it). Of course, I'm anticipating feeling homesick sooner or later. 

I have to admit that the anticipatory portion of this trip has been the most difficult so far. Besides the stress of getting ready, the packing (and repacking and repacking and repacking), it has been an uphill battle to stay encouraged and keep things in perspective. It's hard to leave a life you are content with. When you have friends and family you love so dearly and feel so secure with, the sacrifice of leaving sometimes seems all too costly.

But I simply cannot let go of this dream.

For me, it's not been a dream of acheivement or personal gain or even the hope of adventure (although I would definitely be okay with that). No, my dream, is a simple. You might even call it a "vision." It's a spiritual encounter I had all of seven years ago. I saw a young woman and a child who looked at me with eyes filled with pain it made my heart ache. I saw a vision of their village. They had absolutely nothing, and they were alone. The look in their eyes shook me to the core of my heart and soul. It was a desperate plea. They seemed to desperately need my help and my protection.

 I was so grieved by the experience of the vision.  How could I refuse them? How could I turn away?

And so I am searching for those who God called me to so long a go. The ones that asked for me. They are in dire need of care, compassion, and protection. I am coming. I am on my way. The orphan. The widow. The one that stands on such thin treacherous line between danger and salvation. During this trip, I pray that my heart will be stretched wide enough to embrace a whole nation of people, and that I will always stand as a protector and an intercessors to those who are in need.

The plane keeps roaring on over the sea, but I am at peace. I await with an open heart for Jesus to fill with love and power to protect the ones in need.