Survival Kit for Overseas Living...

by L. Robert Kohls

My required reading provided by MAPS. As I'm reading about the effects of culture shock and, subsequently, reverse culture shock, American biases that might follow me(both in my mind, and the mind of those around me) and the frustration that might come with not being well versed in the host language - I realize I'm 38 days away from the biggest moment of my life thus far.

This is God we're talking about here. This isn't the dream I dreamed for myself, but something so much bigger and better than I could have ever imagined. It won't be easy, I couldn't grow or learn or become more like Him if it was. I'm almost sure there will be moments when I question that God picked the right girl to love Japan. Whether this is just these two months this summer, just another year after I graduate or more - I know He's standing next to me, holding my hand. I know He's smiling. Not just because I heard, I prayed and now I'm going - He's smiling because He knows the joy that I will experience through His plan. He's smiling because He delights in giving us the desires of our heart, sometimes before we even really recognize what those desires truly are.

My heart has loved many things it shouldn't have. We were created to live for something or someone. As Christians, we know we were created to love and be loved by God. We were created by Him and for Him. If we aren't living for and loving God with our whole heart, it will find something else to live for. Someone else to love. How many times do we do this? Our patience wears thin, so we stop waiting on His plan or His answer and seek some comfort we can grasp tangibly, but something we must know can never truly satisfy. These things distract us and keep us from the fullness of His plans, which are rooted in His overwhelming love for us.

Even in my selfishness, God is faithful. He is faithful and He doesn't have to be. What a perfect love! I don't deserve this, but I want to give my whole life over to feeling His love in every moment and walking in His plans every day.

So, what's He calling you to?

Some ways to get involved:
Fri and Sat April 24-25 - HUGE Garage Sale
@ my house in Wagoner, OK
Sun April 26 - Spaghetti Dinner
@ Wagoner First Assembly, after morning service
Please PRAY for me!

If you would like more information about joining my support team, feel free to contact me by e-mail at fosburg@nsuok.edu or by mail:

Amanda Fosburg

P.O. Box 105

Wagoner, OK 74477