Pre-Departure

I am in eager expectation to officially begin this journey to Thailand. So many adventures to be sought after: Mountains to climb, people to meet and seashores to discover... though most important of it all, a soul to be shaped through trial and error. Good times and bad, challenges and lots of laughter.
“Lord develope in me a character that seeks after your kingdom and righteousness. To ask questions and not be afraid of the answers.
This is one of the poems which as inspired me and surely will carry my throughout:

Ithaca

When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,
pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry Poseidon -- do not fear them:
You will never find such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your spirit and your body.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not set them up before you.

Pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many, when,
with such pleasure, with such joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.

Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.
Constantine P. Cavafy (1911)
[ Greek original ]
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The time draws near and my heart is being prepared for the journey ahead:
“I will disciple you this year. Grow in you a warrior heart to stand up and fight for what you believe in. Trust me follow my steps closely. I am the commander of the armies. Like a sheep to the slaughter, I bore the sins of the people of Thailand. Go now and preach good news to the poor. Lift them up, feed them clothe them, love them: Physically, Spiritually and emotionally. Serve and lay down your life for them.”

14 Nov. 09
Lord there is no more I can ask of you my God. You have brought me to this magnificent place. I give you all honour and praise. The earth truly belongs to you. Thank you for this journey, my heart and spirit is content. For the first time in a long time I am truly at peace. Lord work miracles through me, show me the way to the abundant life you have promised us all. To not fear the unknown but embrace it, to follow the dream in our hearts and truly be content. You are my confidence, I am at peace living in a foreign country and I feel at home, because I know you are with me and truly where you are with me is where my heart belongs.

How can we- how dare we limit ourselves when the one who created heaven and earth created us. This is blasphemy when we dare think lowly of ourselves, it serves no one. Not you not God. We need to lift His name on high and understand when Jesus spoke the words written in Mathew 6 “Do now worry... he meant DO NOT WORRY, because HE cares for you. He is the care taker- taking away all our cares. How can I be in a foreign country and be so happy and even more content? Because I have taken my cares to Him. Praise Him for he is good!