A step of faith...

I've been determined that this blog is doesn't become a whole lot of hot air. I desire for it to be purposeful and meaningful. Only problem is, that can often mean rather large breaks between posts and a loss of forward momentum.
So this is a slightly non-purposeful catch-up post...
This past month has been pretty quiet in terms of planning my trip. Work has demanded a lot of my time and energy and I have just been praying out the details of when to arrive/ depart as this has a pretty big impact on what I end up doing next year. Actually booking my airfare is a huge hurdle for me as it is a commitment that I won't be taking a teaching position next year (I'll still be away when school starts back), and will most probably study theology - another can of Holy worms!
So it's time to go visit my friend Sarah Grainger at Flight Centre and book my flights. But something is holding me back - Do I have enough money? Is this really what I'm supposed to be doing? Am I committed to seeing out God's plan completely from start to finish?

Lord, I pray for your strength and guidance as I take this leap of faith and commit financially to the journey you have to me.

A divine friendship

Friends are such a blessing.
This weekend has reminded me of that once again. I am particularly grateful for the friendship I am building with a young family at church. I have gotten to know them over the past few months as we chat away in Creche and I discovered a few weeks ago that they will be in Thailand overlapping the time that I'll be there. Today Joelle (the mum) told me they've changed their schedule to include a few days in Chiang Mai, which wasn't their original intention, but will mean I have friendly faces (who have good knowledge of Thailand and Thai pronunciation) to help me settle in on arrival. God is amazing in the simple ways he provides for my every need. Yet another piece of the puzzle falls into place. All anxiety is gone.

Ask, Seek, Knock.

Ask and it will be given to you...

...seek and you will find...

...knock and the door will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7

So I've just had a moment of realising that I'm crazy. Maybe not for the first time in my life, or in this journey, for that matter. But I really don't know what's coming as I follow obediently the path that God has laid out for me.

I am quitting a wonderful job, will have no income while I'm away, will come back after school returns and have to find a new job (which is tricky being a teacher), plus I'm still looking at the possibility of attending Theological College next year. You'd probably be right in thinking I sound rather disorganised and uncertain, but that's far from the truth. I'm totally certain that this is the journey I'm supposed to be on, I just don't know what's around the next corner!

A place to call 'home'

I just got emailed info on the 'suggested' accommodation. My housemate reckons I'll think our little unit is a palace after going to Thailand, but this place looks more like a palace than anywhere I've ever stayed....

and only 500 baht/night which is about 15 AUD...

I may never want to come home!

Only a child

I have been reading Jeremiah. I read chapter 1 across 3 days last week as I just couldn't move past it. God clearly wanted to speak to me through that passage. I've been grappling with the realities of what lies ahead of me now that my trip to Thailand has been confirmed. I felt overwhelmed and totally unequipped for the work I will be doing. And honestly, I just felt young and silly for thinking I was going to be of any use. I kept reverting back to verse 6-8 of Jeremiah 1 which reads
"O Sovereign LORD," I said, "I can't speak for you, I'm too young."
The LORD replied, "Don't say, 'I am too young', for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don't be afraid of the people for I will be with you and will protect you. I the LORD have spoken!"
His promise is so great and my obedience is what is required. Learning to walk in obedience is the tricky part.....

If nothing else, Pray.

I just realised I haven't specified the fact that my upcoming trip will be based at the Thai/ Burma border on the Thailand side. At bit south of Burma itself, but its working mostly with Burmese refugees and displaced people, so the heart for Burma is still getting its fix. Apparently working from inside Burma is very tricky - I would have to leave the country and re-enter every 21 days and living is VERY expensive (a bomby old car would cost about 10 thousand dollars). That's why most aid and mission organisations work out of the surrounding areas. Also the Burmese government is in a rather messy state at present and there is serious genocide going on, though we don't really hear about it in the Western news. please take time to pray for the people of Burma, particular the karen people who are suffering greatly.