International travel, especially to an unfamiliar place, can be like walking into a furnished room blind. The process of exploring and growing familiar with a new country and its customs can at times be painful and frustrating, like stubbing a toe on a new obstacle. I have also learned that it helps, for all unaccounted ignorance, to be humble in ignorance. They love to see that a traveler is trying to learn; they hate to see that a traveler thinks he has learned. Therefore, I welcome the opportunity to work alongside the Zambian staff team. They will be my teachers and guides with eyes as I meet other members of our eternal family. To expire this metaphor, I hope I may come to a point this summer where the unfamiliar becomes familiar, not in boasting, but in love developed and rooted. I will not be so bold as to foresee , but rather, to merely hope that Zambia may become like another home to me.Tomorrow, my teammates Chris and John, and I will begin flying to Zambia. Please pray for us. For anyone who would like to be praying with us throughout this summer, please make use of the bookmark pictured here. Feel free to save and print the image.
As a team, we have been meditating on and praying through a psalm which speaks of the worship for which we hope.
Psalm 96
Sing to the LORD a new song;
Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless His name;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name;
Bring an offering and come into His courts.
Worship the LORD in holy attire;
Tremble before Him, all the earth.
Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;
He will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
Let the field exult, and all that is in it.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy
Before the LORD, for He is coming,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
And the peoples in His faithfulness.
By His Grace,
Jon Chen
