More photos

Maiden voyage- hellicopter flight to Matangguli

The girls’ dorm

My first and very positive exposure to jackfruit :)

View along the way on first air flight on Friday 

The view out my window

En route

My parents dropped me off at O'Hare bright and early Tuesday morning

Flying past Siberia

Sunrise over the Philippines on Thursday

Arrival at Puerto Princesa

#adventurePalawan

Fine snowfall turns the view into an almost exclusive picture of white. Heaps of water in it’s fluffy form line every road and balloon on random places in yards where the wind decided the snow should collect. I am thankful I am at home and don’t have to venture out through the most wintery snap so far in Michigan’s cold season.

My mind scampers back over the trend of numerous recent conversations: 

“So.. where are you going?”

Me: “I am going to Palawan in the Philippines.”

Get mental picture of slightly bulging eyes. “Wow. Never heard of it. When do you leave?”

Me: “February 5”

An even more incredulous look. “What is it that you’re gonna do again?” 

Me: I am scheduled to go there for a few months to help with medical evacuation flights, and to do anything else I can to be helpful.”

“Why?”

It’s a valid question. Why am I doing this? Too often the rationale for our actions is not based on the most appropriate research, thought, motive, evidence, or purpose. Why—it’s a question that gets at the core of a thing. It asks in a single verb, what would otherwise take paragraphs: have you thought this through? Have you done your research? Have you planned it thoroughly enough? What about your education and future? Do you want to leave the security of a job? Would you rather live without western comforts and the ease of the familiar? What can you do over there that you cannot do over here? What is your motivation?

Many things could motivate. Adventure for one. If this was it, I certainly wouldn’t be the first one drawn to service for such a reason. An element of adventure does exist in doing things you’ve never done and going places you’ve never gone, but what happens when you’ve been there and done that? Countries can be visited in a matter of days; hearts can take much longer to reach. 

Experientially, I have been led to believe that the only motivation with solidity to it comes from outside ourselves. It can be found in the promises and commands of God, and in a settled conviction of His will. It works in a faith that obeys the word of God no matter what may come. Other motivation tends to make a flop of things. 

What I’m after: 

To learn. 

To grow. 

To be a channel of blessing. 

These may be good, but there is something deeper when it comes to a stimulus. At the very core of motive rests either the law of life or the law of death, unselfishness and love, or selfishness and want. Here is both the dichotomy and the beauty: those who lose their life for the sake of Jesus, will find it. Matthew 16:24-25. What is given is preserved, those who die to self may live in Christ. 

As I begin my journey to Palawan, will you join me in seeking a source of motivation, a why, that comes from Above? Will you choose the surrender in which is victory? Will you lose your life in the furrow of the world’s need, so that you can find it again? What is your why?

#adventurepalawan #reflections #hereswhy