It is time to say good-bye

I can't believe we are actually moving to Singapore tomorrow. Just think, 5 months ago, becoming missionaries was just something I was thinking about doing. Now it is a reality. Time has flown by and July has been a very hectic month between finishing up at work, packing up the house, trying to say good-bye to everyone, and packing our lives into 7 suitcases. I knew this process was going to be difficult, but it has almost been overwhelming at times. But finally the leaving stage is coming to an end. Tomorrow morning at 10:08am we board our plane at RDU and begin our 26 hour journey to Singapore.

Now we are going to enter the transition stage. The next few months are going to be filled new experiences - new living conditions, not having a car, new jobs, not having family close by, having to make new friends, etc... The question we have to answer is what attitude to we take with us. Do we go expecting to have all of our needs taken care of, or do we go as empty vessels who will allow God to move and work. My deepest desire is that Holly and I arrive in Singapore empty, that we leave all of our perceived needs, wants and expectations at RDU. I don't want our wants and desires to get in the way of what God is going to show us and do for us. We aren't taking America to Singapore, our hope is that while we will be strangers in Singapore, it can become home for us. Because we won't be able to accomplish anything for God if we are constantly worrying about having our expectations meet. Please pray that we go empty.

As I am typing this I have come to the realization that I am optimistic about becoming missionaries. I can't believe I just said that. Those of you who know me, know that "optimistic" is not an adjective which describes me. But I am very optimistic about this move and opportunity. I have no doubt that we are going to have an awesome experience in our new ministry because I know that God is in this. I know our transition will be difficult at times (see I am still a pessimist at heart) but these difficulties are going to make us stronger and if we allow them to, they will draw us closer together as a family and with God. So for the first time in a long time I can actually say "bring own the challenge."

I wish we could take some of you with us, but this is our calling not yours. As such we must say good-bye for now. Don't be sad, and please don't forget about us. We will need your prayers and your encouragement, so please keep in touch. We leave for Singapore on Tuesday morning at 10:08am and will land 26 hours later at 12am Thursday morning (Singapore time). This will be my last stateside blog. I don't know when we will have access to the internet again (one of the many things we have to get setup after we find a home in Singapore) so I don't know when my next post will be, but hopefully it will come from foreign soil sometime in the next week.

Please be praying for us and don't forget that God has called us to be strangers in this world. This is not our home, heaven is so we need to live like it.

- Strangers