Viola - East Asia Updates

The Good and the Bad

By on March 20, 2024 Track: Medical Region: Asia - East

This is officially my first blog after settling in to my placement! I'm excited to share all that has occurred since my arrival here in East Asia. Just know, when I say "all," I mean the good and the not so good. It wouldn't be real if I just shared all the good stuff now would it?  I was thoroughly prepared for all that would differ culturally, but some things you just can't prepare for, not even the long term folks have gotten used to everything! Don't get me started on the toilets, and yes, I did walk into a boys dormitory instead of my classroom on my first day of school! I won't… Read more >>

New Year's Resolutions - Silence and Solitude

By on January 5, 2024 Track: Medical Region: Asia - East

2024! The year I leave the United States to live overseas on mission to serve and share the gospel to the people of Asia. The year I grow and stretch exponentially by learning a new language, culture, way of life. The year I will learn that I have never truly known the importance of dependance on God and His plan for me or His will for my life. The year I will question what I am willing to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel. This year, I am preparing for the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Preparing for battle is crucial, and thus far, it has not been easy but it has been RICH! My New… Read more >>

My Support Raising Story

By on November 27, 2023 Track: Medical Region: Asia - East

I am a young adult who worked full time for over a year with a steady salary, benefits and PTO. One of my toughest obstacles when transitioning to become a goer was swallowing the support raised paycheck pill. But, the fear behind support raising, that people won't give or they will think of you less, it's most likely a lie from the enemy. Even if somebody doesn't give or somebody does think differently of you I want you to remember, and I say this with love, it is not about you. Support raising is a way for the Lord to show His power over finances and for your supporters to be sacrificial… Read more >>

You've Got a Friend in Me

By on October 31, 2023 Track: Medical Region: Asia - East

Friendship. What a valuable lesson to learn throughout any stage of life! You may have heard Genesis 2:18, "it is not good for man to be alone." For singles, we feel left out of that verse in the context of marriage, Adam and Eve, and all that. But really it means that we are relational creatures, built to fellowship with our creator and other creation. This is good news! But what does it look like today?  In John 15:12-17, Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. His example of this love is as He says, "greater love has no one than this, a person who will lay down his… Read more >>

How an Early Childhood Friendship Led to Missions

By on October 8, 2023 Track: Medical Region: Asia - East

I'm from the south, my hometown is not small but it is far from big. The claim to fame and the overall source of growth in my town is that we're the home of one of the biggest grocery store companies in the world! Because of this, our diversity has grown abundantly. When I was in elementary school, a new girl transferred into my class. She was different than me in more ways than one but in many ways, we were just alike. Both enjoyed reading, both sought success in school, and both were unable to stop talking during the teacher's lessons. She and I were kindred spirits, but she grew up Muslim… Read more >>