Day 10 - 7/9/2018 - It's Not Over Yet!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." 

Hebrews 12: 1-3

"It's not over yet!!" Cherry and I squealed, shattering the solemn atmosphere outside the restaurant.

We had all believed that Sunday night would be our last evening with the Taiwanese youth, but, as we were clearly not ready to say goodbye, Kevin organized for some of the youth to accompany us to the airport on Monday. Although we had different departure times, ranging from 11 am to 7 pm, the Taiwanese youth generously agreed to spend the entire day waiting with us at the airport (they ended up staying over 10 hours!).

On Monday morning, Emily and I rushed about the house like madmen trying to finish packing our belongings. After meeting up with the guys outside their apartment, Amy's husband, Steven, drove us to the Taoyuan International Airport. There we found the Taiwanese youth waiting for us. We took some final group photos and left to go check in our luggage.

Last group photo

Later at the airport, after Kevin offered to give Josh his shirt as a joke, we all started playing this game where we would rummage through our suitcases and find random gifts to give to our Taiwanese friends. We ended up giving them t-shirts, old school ID cards, jewelry, playing cards, a pillow, and even a sermon notebook and a bible. The Taiwanese youth promised to take good care of our belongings and return them to us next year.

The girls showing off their matching bracelets!

Peggy posing with the pillow Jonathan gave her

Soon after, it was time for us to say goodbye to Emily, who was leaving to visit family in Henan, China. Here it struck us that the only downside of having the Taiwanese youth accompany us to the airport was that we would have to endure three sets of tear-filled goodbyes. As we all huddled together, Emily gave each of us a hug and said her farewells. We wished her a safe trip and expressed our hope to all reunite next year. Despite our long faces, the thought that "it's not over yet", that most of us could still stay together for a few more hours, comforted us.

Saying our final goodbyes to Emily

The group's mood really wasn't the same after Emily left. Although we tried to stay positive, the absence of Emily's cheerful presence and the understanding that more of us were leaving soon hung like a dark cloud. After watching Emily walk away, we all went up to the cafeteria to have lunch together.

My lunch and leftovers from breakfast

After eating, we headed back to the main floor and sat in a circle on the side of the walkway. We spent the next hour or so playing Uno together.

Playing Uno

Before we knew it, it was time to send off Jeremy and Adam. Another round of tears, hugs, and goodbyes was shared as we walked Jeremy and Adam to the gate. As I saw how emotional Adam got as he said goodbye to the Taiwanese youth, I reflected briefly on how much we had all matured individually and on how we had all connected so deeply as a group this past week. It is truly amazing how much God opened our hearts to Him and to each other. Praise God for working so powerfully in and through us all!

Jeremy and Adam leaving

After Jeremy and Adam left, the Taiwanese youth and the rest of our team (Josh, Jonathan, and me), returned to the place where we were sitting before to play more games. We played countless rounds of "One Night Ultimate Werewolf" and had a blast solving mysteries and making up stories with each other.

As it neared the time of our flight, the group decided to engage in a final prayer together. We took turns giving thanks to God for this amazing week and also asking that God would keep us spiritually firm going forward. As we were sharing, a lady walked up to our group and offered a short prayer of thanks, praising God for our service to Him. Although none of us knew this stranger, the fact that she noticed our prayer and was touched by it was incredibly encouraging. Indeed, God is always working and His plans are beyond our understanding! 

Final group prayer meeting

After praying, we got up and started playing a few rounds of "Truth and Dare". All of us were rolling over in laughter as we came up with increasingly embarrassing dares for each other to do -- such as singing and dancing in public or saying silly things to strangers.

Evangeline asking a stranger a question

The final dare was one that we did as a group: we all linked arms and did a dance that we learned from the VBS around the airport square.

Us dancing together

Maybe it was because we were still on a high from all the games, or maybe we were already all cried out, but the third, and last, goodbye of the day was the most peaceful one. Although a few tears were shed, we were all mostly smiling as Josh, Jonathan, and I departed at the gate.

It wasn't until we got onto the plane when the emotions really set in. Jonathan and I had a long, heavy discussion about the VBS, the Taiwanese youth, and our home church, Trinity, during our flight. And although I tried to distract myself with movies and readings, I couldn't ignore the growing pain in my chest as we flew farther and farther away from Taiwan.

Jonathan, Josh, and me in the plane

Although by this point I knew in my heart that our missions trip was finished, I still tried to comfort myself repeatedly with the words: it's not over. "It's not over until we arrive in the US," "it's not over until we get to my house," "it's not over until Jonathan and Josh actually leave...", etc. As more time passed, I slowly started losing pieces of the Taiwan trip to hold onto.

However, as my fellow team members and I began discussing the work we have to do at home -- such as planning for next year's trip, finding ways to better serve Trinity, and staying spiritually accountable for each other -- I realized that, indeed, it is not over yet! I am so thankful that God has put together this amazing team. Through this trip, God has given us a united passion and purpose in serving Him. As we continue meeting and fellowshipping with each other, it becomes clearer than ever before that our work is not yet done.

As a matter of fact, it will never be done. The race that God has set before us will last a lifetime. I don't know what will come in the future, or even how long this team will be together for, but I know that God has amazing plans for all of us.

To close: here's to a lifetime of running the race that God has set us on. May we run freer, run faster, and run for joy -- until, one day, we can run into His arms.