Hello all! So so sorry I haven't written more. I have much to say - so many stories - it's hard to know which ones to share.
Let's start with:
I graduated! We finished our program on June 29 and I am so happy to have completed this season! The 3 months of outreach was not easy. I thought it would be challenging due to uncomfortable living conditions or extreme poverty, but my personal challenges mainly came from simply trying to 'minister' as a group. Interpersonal relationships seem to touch every area of our lives, no matter what the mission is. I feel I've learned a lot about simply getting along with people, communication, and choosing my attitude every day, moment to moment. Some days I succeeded, others I did not do so well. But I can tell you, God has been FAITHFUL through all of it. Even tough there were many close calls, my team and I arrived safely in Jersualem for graduation. I know the prayers of many covered us as we traveled on buses, tuk tuks, autos, elephants, and with crazy taxi drivers. This experience has overall been very worth it. I know I have many things yet to explore and understand about my trip through Southeast Asia. I'm in the 'processing' phase. It's difficult to see how much you've changed through an experience. I think it takes years to know how it fully brought change and affected your life. In the meantime, I hope to post brief stories on here from past adventures in serving Christ. I will tell you this: fulfilling the word of God was among the most fantastic things we did. Caring for the widow, feeding the orphan, looking after the sick, sharing the Good News with those who have not heard, encouraging believers - those were the best moments. In those places I met and understood Jesus better. I am so greatful to God for bringing me through all of this!
Sending love to all,
Julie Anna
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