Sunday, July 14, 2013 - en route to Cambodia
"Once more Jesus put his
hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was
restored, and he saw everything clearly." Mark 8:25
Here I go embarking on a new journey! I wish I could say that I was overwhelmed with excitement. Don't get me wrong- I am not dreading this trip by any means, but, rather, I am entering the mission field with a peaceful lack of expectations. I know that God has designed the weeks ahead, so I am able to trust that He has the details under control. I think the fact that this is my second time overseas is also contributing to the peace.
Of one other thing I am certain: The Lord has blessed me with the gift of tears. Throughout the course of my adult life, I've viewed this as both a blessing and a curse. After four years on the job, I am, to this day, known at my place of work as "the girl who cried during training." Ah yes, sensitivity can be quite a curse. I am well aware that the nature of this trip (working with girls who have been rescued from sex slavery as well as seeing the effects of poverty with regard to trafficking) in addition to this little "gift" of mine may prove to be a lethal combination. However, God has given me the gift of sensitivity for a purpose, and that is reason enough to believe that He will be glorified through it. Only time will tell just how all of this will come into play.
It's a clear day, so throughout my first one-hour flight, I've been able to see the earth from the plane. I can see houses, rivers, schools, and highways. The funny thing is, though, even over the city where I have lived for 24 years, I can hardly identify landmarks from this altitude. Perspective is funny like that. It can completely change the appearance of something familiar to be virtually unrecognizable. On the other hand, a closer perspective can bring so much insight into something you have only seen from a distance.
I know a lot of information about human trafficking. I have read statistics. I have seen it in the news. I have read emails about my friends' experiences in Cambodia. But until I see its ugliness with my own eyes, I don't think I will understand the weight it can have in the lives it touches. I will probably never be able to fully grasp that weight unless I, myself, become a victim. However, I imagine that this trip will provide a new perspective and will help remove some layers of the veil from my understanding. In fact, I pray it does exactly that.
