These days, the question in my title of this post is a fairly legitimate question. As I am currently writing this I am actually back in Harbin. However, for the last month or so I have been all over Southeast Asia.
Due to the Chinese New Year also referred to as Spring Festival, all universities end the first semester in early January and don’t resume until the beginning of March. That gives us almost 2 full months of break and most of us use that opportunity to travel; and I was no exception.
We are given a small travel stipend by our school (who actually encourage us to leave campus) and whatever money we save on our own to travel as we please. Before people get upset as to why I didn’t come home during my break, all first year teachers are highly advised NOT to go home. In reality this is probably good advice since this is around the time that we are missing home the most and if we were to go home there is a very likely possibility some of us would not return.
Therefore, I took advantage of the opportunity to travel (with my friends) and had the pleasure of visiting so many cool new cities and countries including Shanghai, China; Bangkok, Thailand; Chaing Mai, Thailand (for our organization conference), and the beautiful beaches of Quy Nhon, Vietnam.
It’s so funny too because I am the first person to tell you that I absolutely LOVE traveling, there’s just something so adventurous about going and visiting a place you have never been before. That being said, traveling can also be draining- airport after airport, plane after plane, and luggage after luggage. Traveling period can take it’s toll, but added to traveling all around countries in which you don’t speak the language it becomes a whole new beast to conquer. Would I trade it for anything? Absolutely not. Nevertheless am I thankful to be back settled in Harbin? One hundred percent.
I loved all the places I got to visit, sites I got to see, and people that I met but what was the biggest highlight of my travels? Definitely our organization’s’ annual Thailand conference. I was reunited with people I hadn’t seen since training over 5+ months ago and it was such a joy to catch up with my friends and hear about their first semesters and share stories of what The Father is doing in our lives and on our campuses. It was such a privilege to be able to gather with my brothers and sisters that are teaching and serving all over Asia and to worship with them. And my favorite part was the updates of our countries of service! To be reminded of how BIG Dad is and how much He is moving all over the world was so incredibly worshipful! It’s easy to get caught up in my small little bubble of what’s happening in my city, on my campus; but man to get a macro shot of what’s happening in other parts of the world was incredible to say the very least. During conference I was challenged, I was sharpened, and I was encouraged. I’m leaving that time refreshed, refueled, and ready and excited to teach with excellence and labor hard for His glory.
As I get ready to prepare for the upcoming semester I am reminded of what Paul writes to the Galatians in chapter 9, “ And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up”. Last semester was filled with it’s own challenges and personal battles and I’m sure that this upcoming semester will bring it’s own challenges as well. But I’m encouraged not to grow weary of doing good. It’s comforting to know that as challenges arise this upcoming semester, which they will, that the same big Dad who cares about every ongoing all over the world is the same intimate Dad that cares for me and goes before me. It is His Son in me that will enable me to not grow weary of doing good.
Be encouraged,
