Destination: Philippines

Some of you may have heard of the change of location and, henceforth, ministry for the six-month internship portion of my eight-month mission. So, here's the story: though the afore-listed countries on the former Novas homepage were tentative, I realize now just how attached my heart had become to the opportunity of rehabilitating sex trade victims in Burma/Myanmar or India. And I was hopefully anticipatory of the prospect not only of ministering to these victims, but the more specified direction the experience would give me for my furthered education, as this sort of rehabilitation is something I desire to do long-term. I felt so devastated upon my initial discovery that those two countries along with their ministries had been removed from our list of tentative ministry countries. Now it's looking like I will be doing youth ministry in the Philippines as a means of prevention against the problem of human trafficking in their country. This is still an incredible venue to serve, but just not at all what I was expecting and hoping for. BUT, God has already taught me significantly through this. One, of course, to expect the unexpected. Two, my ways are not God's ways (Is. 55:8) and I need to trust in Him with all my heart rather than leaning on my own understanding (Prov. 3:5). Three, what I and the world perceive to be good may not be God's good, and His good may not perceive to be as such by us. Through this "disappointment" and a couple of others occurring simultaneously God gave me fresh new perspective on Rom. 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." I tend to have such a limited perception of what this "good" of His really is. It seems like I would know better by now, watching the manifold blessings that our family experienced BECAUSE of my mom's cancer (not to discount, especially on my mom's part, just how difficult the journey has been). But God helped us to learn and experience the reality of considering it pure joy when we faced this trial together as a family, along with our beloved church family. We truly did develop perseverace leading to maturity, realizing more profoundly how we indeed lacked no good thing with the presence of God in our hearts (Js. 1:2-4). Especially I saw this in my mom's life as I watched her spiritually mature in inspiring ways and so emulate the esteemed Proverbs 31 woman, despite the challenges and fatigue of her cancer and, no less, her treatment. I have no doubt that my mom will be receiving the crown of life that God rewards to those who love Him and who have persevered under trial and stood the test (Js. 1:12). All this to say, I am so persuaded that God has a plan through this change in destination...whether His intent is as simple as to build up my faith and trust in Him to follow no matter where He leads (because He is absolutely the one in control!) or even to give me greater clarity and direction for longer-term purposes. Wherever my dear Lord wills me to be, THAT is where I desire to be.