A little long overdue update

Did you know Dave and I are thinking about moving ... to Asia?

Taiwan - Summer of 2012

I've mentioned moving several times on the blog but I've never really talked about it in detail nor have I explained anything about it. Well, today that is going to change.

Let's take a dive back into history. When Dave and I were dating, well I guess we weren't dating, basically I don't know how to share this story, but what I'm getting at is there was a point in Dave and I's relationship (prior to marriage) that we had quit hanging out. I had some things to work through and I basically gave him the 'we have to just be friends' talk. Now that that awkward part is out lets get onto the better part of this story. 

The better part is this: while Jesus was helping me clean up my life Dave made a promise to God. He promised God that if he (Dave) got to marry me (Beka) that we would do a year of international missions. Well, guess what happened right after Dave made that promise? Miss stubborn / 'let's just be friends' Beka had a heart change and started having strong feelings for Dave. Isn't that odd how that works? 

So, here we are guys. Praying about that year of missions! 

Our original plan was to go to Burma for a year. Dave has taken missions trips there before and his Mom was thinking about retiring there. We also have a friend there: her and her husband run a Christian school in Burma. They have dreamed about opening a medical clinic for a while. It would be perfect for Dave with his medical background and great for me because I can help with the medical side and teach some too. 

Here is a catch - America and Burma don't have political relations. Therefore, all visas have to be done in Thailand. Also, Burma will only grant us 10 week visas which means every 10 weeks we have to fly to Thailand to renew visas. 

Since we will be in Thailand so much we thought "Why not check into missions while we are in there?" My Dad has a missionary contact in Thailand and we were able to meet with them this past June. I'll be sharing more about that meeting very soon but let me just say they were such a blessing and God is doing AMAZING things globally! 

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*Insert Blog Break for a Geography Lesson*

1. Raise your hand if you can locate Thailand on a map.

2. Raise your hand if you can locate Burma on a map. 

3. My hands are not raised! Guys! I kept telling people "We might be going to Burma and Thailand" and then it dawned on me "Um, I don't even know where that is and I should if I am going to live there." So, here is a little map pointing out where each country is. 

4. If you knew where these were at I'm giving you a virtual high five right now!

Fact: Burma has two names. You can call it Burma or Myanmar. I need to do more research on this but I believe that the official name is Myanmar. British renamed the country to Burma when they took over. However, British no longer rules there and I think the people of Myanmar actually call it Myanmar, rather than Burma. Did you get all that?

Fact: The two names are still both used so if I mention both names don't think we have a 3rd country in mind for missions. 

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Our time frame is to leave some time this fall. Now! After sharing all of that information let me say one last little thing: I've learned lately that I can plan all I want but God is The Planner. He can take all of these plans for Burma and Thailand and change them. So, while we continue to pray and plan we also want our hearts to be surrendered to whatever and wherever He calls us. More importantly we want our hearts to be surrendered and in relationship with Him. That's more important than location or vocation.

So, that is the story friends. If you have questions - please ask! I'm an open book. Also, we would covet your prayers. Prayers that our walk with Jesus will be the focus through all of this and prayers that God would use us to share the gospel with people we come into contact with both here and abroad!