Why I'm excited for SE Asia

I am excited for my upcoming trip to South East Asia!  I've been thinking a lot about this trip over the last week and a half.  There are many things that I am excited for, some that I am nervous about and still more things that I just don't know.  Traveling to a part of the world that I've never been to, and honestly, don't know a whole lot about is an interesting adventure.
I thought I would post a few of the things that are on my mind right now concerning the trip.

Things I am excited about
1.  I am excited about our team.  I would be exited about spending any amount of time with these guys doing just about anything... but the fact that we will be traveling across the globe and visiting different mission fields is going to be amazing.  As we spend time in Thailand, Taiwan and Cambodia, we'll be spending time meeting and praying for the people we meet.  We'll also be talking about how our students can connect with some of these people.  I am so excited about spending time with our team!
2.  I am excited about being able to meet and encourage the Alliance missionaries that are working in the 3 countries that we will be visiting.  It's great to have missionaries in our churches sharing about what they are doing overseas, but I am really excited to be visiting THEM and seeing first hand their ministry.  This will be my first trip to an Alliance mission field, and I am very excited!
3.  I am excited about what God is going to teach myself and our team!  I know that every mission trip I have been on, whether it was in North Dakota or Africa, God has taught me about who He is, and what is important to Him.  In fact, I wrote a blog post a while back about the different things God has taught me through different mission trips.  you can read it here.  
4.  I am excited to experience a new culture.  Our concept of the world is so small.  I am excited to see a different part of the world.
Things I am nervous about
1.  I am nervous about being away from my family.  Its not the time that I will be away, its more the distance.  I know that this was the hardest part of going to Africa a few years ago.  When I went to Africa I left my pregnant wife at home for almost 3 weeks!  That would tough, but I have to be honest, I think that leaving her with 2 kids will be even more difficult.  I know that I will be fine, I know that they will be fine, but its going to be difficult to leave them behind.  I am excited for a trip that Kate can come overseas with me, and some day, when Caden and Avery can come with us too!
2.  I am nervous about the food.  It's no secret that I love food.  However, I don't love all food.  Especially sea food.  I am interested to see what kind of food I will be eating while away.  I have heard horror stories, and don't want to have any of them to post about on the blog...
3.  I am nervous about what we might see.  I know that not everything that we are going to see is going to be good.  We'll be seeing some things that are going to stick with us for a long time.  How do you prepare for what you might see when you don't really know what it will be?  I am not sure...


Thanks for processing with me!  I am very excited about this trip.  I believe that it will not only have a huge impact on my life, and the lives of our team members, but also on our ministries back at home.  Our whole purpose of this trip is to come back and be able to better emphasis missions with our students.  Specifically, to choose a Field Of Focus for our district student ministries.  Eventually leading to a trip back with students to one of the countries.  


If you'd like to support me on this trip, I would love it!  I need prayer support.  Would you consider praying for me as I prepare for this trip as well as while we are over there?  If so, please send me an email or comment on this post and let me know.  I want to be able to have a list of prayer people so I can keep you up to date with current prayer requests.  
Also, if you'd like to support me financially, I would appreciate it.  I am raising my own support for this trip.  You can read about how you can support me here.  Thanks in advance for your support!


All for now...