Here's a fun fact: NASA astronauts spend 6-8 hours a day in underwater replicas of the International Space Station in order to prepare for their upcoming missions. We can call it dedication, or adult swim on steroids. Despite all this training, something tells me when they finally get into outer space they are nonetheless surrounded by an inexplicable aura of differentness. Despite hours of weightlessness in an Earth-bound pool, surely nothing can completely prepare oneself for the otherworldy sights, sounds, smells, and feeling of space.
I feel like an astronaut. Granted, my GPA was likely far lower than theirs, I've never flown at a speed fast enought o render me unconscious, and I am slightly afraid of heights...but I'm practically in the same boat...er ship as them. My life has been nonstop training and preparation since May earlier this year. I can riddle off textbook answers about language, culture, and ministry until I'm blue in the face, but the reality is that in a few days I'm flying into a new world of differentness! This is mostly exciting, especially because in the big picture of things I have no idea what I am doing...praise God! I want to be that way, that is, out of the way. When overwhelmed by my own incapabilities, I know that I am finally at God's full disposal, and only then do I feel like theere is actually a chance for him to use and teach me.
This is my last state side post. Buckle up, put your seat in its upright position, and say a prayer. To God be the glory, let's do this thing world!