Regarding plans, goodbyes and eternity:

What do you plan for and chase after ?

Plans can only take you so far. On Saturday, our last day working at the Pre School was marked by holding a VBS recap with the children and the parents. It featured songs, arts & crafts displays, the VBS in a nutshell and short sharings and testimonies. In my experience, in everything that you do, planning can only take you so far. God was at work powerfully. He used the time to touch some parents specifically, most of whom were only Christians by name. Some were moved, becoming convicted of the importance of bringing up children in righteousness as children after God's own heart.

Plans can only take you so far, but it is God's work that ultimately makes it powerful; not by our works or strength. It's reminds me of the song Nothing But The Blood, where it says that only by Jesus' blood, we can be made whole again. We can try all we can to seek redemption and salvation, but without the intervention of Christ, it would never be possible. O what amazing Love

Our team didn't really get a chance to say goodbye to the children. They gradually left one by one with their parents, melting with the day. There were many farewells to be said near the end of our trip. We said goodbye to our faithful taxi driver who was a M with a heart for Christians. We said goodbye to the M-nary who showed us love that reflected their faithfulness to Christ's calling. We said goodbye to many TM's and workers of Christ that we had the privilege to meet. And eventually, we had to say goodbye to even each other as we went our separate ways from HK Int'l Airport.

All these goodbyes, I can only describe with one word - unceremonious. It seemed like such abrupt endings, just walking away after being bonded by what only God can unite. But the truth is, no ceremony, event or words could give our goodbyes justice. It will never be enough, because our relationships were in Christ and there is nothing that is more powerful or everlasting.

But with every goodbye, there is comfort in knowing there is no end in Christ's Love, unity and plans. Those are of eternity. They go beyond our plans, our location on earth, the people we know and the time we spend with each other. God will work powerfully through those who serve Him diligently and we have to trust that His plans are great and perfect, that we will be united in ways that neither angels nor demons, nor any powers of this earth could tear apart.

I do miss Egypt. I miss the children, the M's, the faithful servants of His that we had a chance to meet, and those that we didn't. My heart goes out to your people, God. But I rejoice still because I know there are greater goals to be reached and in You, there is no end.

I am convicted: O what Love; there is no greater thing than to know Your name