The journey has officially begun! I am writing this blog from SEOUL Airport in Korea where I met up with two of my teammates, Steph and Elise. (Meredith is traveling the whole way alone will arrive in Cambodia Monday).
My last night in California consisted of a “last supper” at TGI Fridays with a few of my closest girlfriends. They took me to the airport where they saw me off and waved goodbye until I was no longer in sight. I feel like I was terrible company because my mind was racing with thoughts of what these next couple years will be like. I am still having some difficulty processing everything because this is such a huge change. It began to hit me as I was waiting to board my flight and I was the only blond, blue eyed girl at the gate while reading a sentimental letter from my best friend. “Here we go,” I thought as I was imagining my future in this unknown land.
I have been reading a book called “Chasing the Dragon,” by a woman named Jackie Pullinger. It is about how God led her to China and some of the incredible things that happened during her time there. The chapter I was reading during take off was about her initial journey to China and her adapting to the culture. She journeyed blindly to China not knowing why she was sent nor what to expect, other than she was called by God to go. Similarly, I am going to a land I know little about and will have to rely on the direction of the Holy Spirit in everything. In the book, a friend of Jackie’s was encouraging her to take a leap of faith and trust God that if He called her to it, He would pull her through it. He said, “You can’t lose if you put yourself completely in God’s hands, you know.” Wow! This really resonates with me in this season of life. I am beginning to get a glimpse of that simple, yet profound truth. My teammates and I are putting ourselves in God’s hands so there is no way we can lose! There’s a lot of work to be done in the little country of Cambodia and we have been chosen in such a time as this to bring the love of Christ which overcomes all cultural barriers. What a privilege and an honor indeed!
Hey sis, me alongside with so many from PBA are so proud of what your doing in your life. Your sacrificing so much to do God’s will. Your a role model in my eyes. May God’s love overwhelm you for the rest of your life. Much love to you sis.
To my dear Daughter, Amarja, As I read your greetings from Korea update I was brought to tears, not because I was sad, or even fearful at your being there so far away, but because I’m so very proud of you in a righteous kind of way.
I remembered when your mom and I first arrived in Fukuoka, Japan to begin a new experience for me, mission work to the Japanese people in the small town (at that time)of Saga on the Island of Kyushu. Up to that point in my life (27 years old) I had only been to Finland with your Mother to visit your Grandma and Grandpa there. In Japan I found that I had never before been to a place where the culture was so different from that in which I grew up. God had, nevertheless, given me a love for the nation of Japan, to take His message of Hope to the Japanese people, so I was ready even though I didn’t speak a bit of the language, nor did I know a thing about the very different foods that the Japanese ate. I grew to like most everything there and did teach myself enough Japanese to survive there. I was totally psyched out in service to the Lord.
May God give to you this same kind of Love for His people, no matter where you may serve Him, may He make your challenges and fears easily assuaged and may your faith and faithfulness to His cause enable you when obstacles may seem insurmountable to others and possibly even to yourself.
Fern and I love you very much and will miss you much these next two years of your life, but these two years will pass swiftly by for us all. I know this because when your mom and I were Short-terming in Japan and our original two year mission was extended to six years at the request of the Mission Board of the Church of God, (Anderson, IN) even those extra four years went by way too fast. We did see a lot of young and old Japanese make commitments to Jesus, but I’m certain we would have seen even greater harvest had we stayed longer.
We’ll talk more of these things later, but until then may the lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His peace that passes all human understanding, in your rising up and in your lying down, in your labor and in your leisure, in your going out and in your coming in, in your laughter and in your tears, from this day forward and until that day of days, when there is no darkness nor dawning, only the light shining forth from His glorious presence, when we shall all be brought before His throne of grace and see Him face to face and He says to us, “Well done, good and faithful servants, enter into the joy of your Master.” Amen!
Love you lots, Your Dad and Fern
You look way to fresh to have just travelled from So. Cal. to Seoul! Not fair. I always look like a smashed muffin! Good to see you looking strong and courageous!
Greeting from your sister in the faith at P4CM! So proud of you Amarja! Please continue to let God use you in the severly oppressed areas of Cambodia. Please know that I am praying for you and for God’s will to be done in everything you and your fellow ministry workers touch. Love you and please continue to keep us all updated on the journey! 🙂
You can’t lose if you put yourself in God’s hands.
I like that picture.
It’s a beautiful adventure… and I am sooooo excited for you.