A crazy end to this journey around the sun, and a crazy start to 2022. We’re finally on the tail end of the 5th wave of the COVID pandemic here. Brought on by one of the first countries with an outbreak of Omicron B.2. Bringing with it unpredictable changes, predictable tightening of social distancing guidelines and trying to figure out how to continue the work with the conditions.
But even more than these last few months of my 34th trip around the Sun. This year has been full of ups and downs, twist and turns and all the growing pains that come with answering God’s call to serving in the margins, during a global pandemic. This year has been about strengthening community, finding my own voice again, taking on new task and figuring out what that all meant. Friends have died in the Philippines because they dared teach indigenous students how to read and write, human rights workers have been arrested, and while the international community is slowly opening their eyes to the Human rights crisis more work must be done. The struggle toward unity still ongoing but as the sun sets on this trip around the sun, want to take a few minutes to celebrate the transformation and community this year has brought.
There have been numerous late night zooms with friends around the world. Build friendships in different ways, built community and found a love for the work again. Shared meals (when pandemic situation allows), laughs and new experiences Reminded each Sunday by the migrant leaders why we serve the people each day. Succeeded in New Years resolutions and found moments during the week to build community. Strengthened solidarity and took on new challenges. Through figuring out new task and improving our work, been blessed to organize with member of MOVERS who together we are figuring out how to build our own tech team, share knowledge and skills together and develop our collective leadership. We’ve built community, learned new lessons, and somewhere along the way it moved toward lasting friendships. Shared laughs and sighs, field trips to further out areas from Hong Kong, brought friends from the USA to the streets of Hong Kong
So as I am Iooking forward to the start of this next trip around the Sun, my 35th birthday, and last year as a “youth”, its with a heart full of gratitude and looking forward to what is to come. And if you wish to make my birthday wish come through, please donate $35 in support my GBGM Advance allowing me and other UMC missionaries to stay in mission serving as the hands and feet of Jesus.
Living by God's Grace: Serving God, serving the people 