DR Journal Entry #1:::::Monday, 5 July 2010 6:25 PM

*Foreword*
I've decided to share what I wrote in my journal from before and during the missions trip, it might be insight to you, if you choose to read it (hopefully in it's entirety!) And it will definitely help me to reflect even more on my time in DR, everything we experienced, and the way I felt while there.
So disclaimer: this isn't the first entry in my journal technically, I had the journal long before the trip and wrote in it before. Actually, my very first entry is a testimony of the first time I heard God (and was sure it was Him =]) and then I had pages brainstorming fundraising ideas for the trip, which I refer back to in the entry below. But this is basically the first entry regarding the actual trip :) Everything you read is exactly (down to the # of exclamation points) how I wrote it in my journal But disclaimer #2: For everything I post up, I may omit a sentence or two, that I'm not comfortable sharing. I hope you understand! So now, here is some background info; I'm in my room, sitting on the floor next to my open suitcase and writing =) It's Monday, the day before our departure, and I'm getting ready to go to church to sleepover. Enjoy! ^_^


Monday, 5 July 2010 6:25 PM

WOW! It seems like forever ago that I wrote the few previous pages... :)
Back in December there was no definite missions trip, yet I was planning all these grand fundraising events Lol. None of which btw we actually did. But here I am, less than 24 hours to the trip and things have worked out by God and His grace alone! I'm so freakinnggg excited! I leave for church in like an hour! yesterday was really fun, too! The best 4th of July to date :) I spent it with FAMILY :D Elisha, Christina, Casey, Danielle, David, Pisit and a whole bunch of Pisit's family (+ some friends, too) SO MUCH FUN just being with such nice people and for the first time in a WHILE that I actually felt like I was a part of their family. The kids are ADORABLE too!!! They melt me XD I could spend forever w/ them. I can't wait to see them again once I come back. One thing though that I don't feel too great about is drinking yesterday.
But anyways, I think I'm done packing....FINALLY. Other ppl told me it took them like 15 minutes to pack and how it was refreshing not to care so much about what we have to bring since we're going very Spartan for this trip. :P But I dragged out my packing time to a few hours so I'm questioning if my mindset is in the right place.. :/ I'll pray more. But I really can't believe ittt!!!! By this time tomorrow (if all goes smoothly!) We'll be in the Dominican Republic Yayy!! Well just about to land technically :) I hope my body is able to deal with the air pressure. Well :/ I'll pray! I'm so excited for the plane ride!! my FIRST that I can remember in full and my FIRST outside of the country!!! :) Ay Dios was my passport a struggle, but God provided in time. I got my passport in less than 48 hours and like 3 days before the trip! OMGoodness! I'm so PUMPED for this trip. I'm going to pray for our team to have unity, spiritually and emotionally during this trip, no complaining, that I'll be able to put 100% effort every second, that we'll be able to l<3ve all the kids, handle food well, safe plane rides, no discord, and most importantly, for God's glory to be seen. I hope we change someone's life with the love of Jesus Christ :)
OMGoodness! This is my first missions trip! May God be at the center of this journey. I don't know what to expect :) Hopefully I will be a changed person, too after this mission trip :D

DR Missions '10. L<3VE God. Serve Others. July 6-14, 2010 <3

<3 Joy Cho