G.R.I.T.

Jacob`s Trip

I know this is long, but it will definitely summarize my trip over...


So it's been an adventure so far. I'm currently in Seoul, but the way I got here, well, it's a testimony that God wants me in Japan this summer at the very least...

I am always trying to do more and more than I should but things are just out of control at times in my life. It's something acknowledge before God and know I am making constant strides in that direction, but for some reason I'm just really stubborn. And I'm amazed at how He still works in my life in spite of me.

Knoxville to Atlanta
The crazy thing about how it all started is that I went out to dinner after Swing Dancing to Steak and Shake Wednesday night in Knoxville. I didn't pack but I "knew" I'd have time to get everything done before going to the airport the next day. That night on the way home I remembered I had told my dad I would take an Optometrist appointment at 8:30 Thursday morning. I was tired, and I didn't worry about things. I simply went to bed.

Thursday morning arrived faster than I was anticipating or wanting it to- not because I didn't want to go but because I was so tired and worn out from the day before that going to Dr. Shields & Shields to have my eyes check was about the last thing I wanted to do. However, I went and got there right on time anyway because I knew I needed to do it before I left, so I did.

After a great and encouraging 20-minute conversation about what I was doing in Japan, I returned home to start on the madness and chaos that was packing. I washed one load of clothes and packed rigorously. I realized I hadn't bought a new pair of running shoes that I thought I'd need for GRIT 2009 &/or 2010 in Japan. By the time I thought I was done packing, I went to the mall, bought a pair of shoes and came back home. Long story short, my family and I finally left the house at 3:15- WAYYY later than I should have even thought about.

On the way to the airport, because I'd measured one of the bags I had to be 60 lbs and the other 35, I could rearrange the weight- so that's what I did. It wasn't pretty or easy while in our van, but I moved all of the weight around and got my two bags situated. Upon arrival at the airport, things were hectic as my confirmation number wouldn't work even though the Delta employee could pull it up on the computer. After a short check, she got my items printed off and my bags checked... then came the line.

After realizing I wouldn't make it in time if I didn't ask people if I could cut in front of them (and also seeing Steven Johnson and Brad Zockoll at the airport too), I began the process of moving in line. Finally, I just went to the front and came to realize that the employee at the counter had only given me my boarding passes for the Atlanta to LA flight and my LA to Korea flight. Again, after a hop, skip and jump back to the ticket counter, I got my correct boarding pass, ran off after saying good-bye to my family (quickly this time as in running by compared with the first time when I realized I needed to cut line it was slower) and got through security.

I ran toward the gate after checking the board that shows the flight times and departure gates. As I ran, the gentleman said to me, "You going to Incheon?" (the name of Seoul's airport), and I exclaimed "Yes!" even though I was out of breath. After taking a few more running strides toward him and the gate he radioed, "Nevermind, he's here."

I just barely made it. Now, it's arguable that I would have been able to drive down to Atlanta with one of my parents, but that would have meant missing Jonathan's graduation for them as well as for me unless I rented a taxi. Neither option was desirable or likable, so it was a great blessing to get things off with a bang even in spite of me (as I have said earlier).

On the flight I met a man named Brad. We discussed his business and how my dad might be able to use him one day. I told him about what I was doing and continue our brief conversation as the flight took off and in 27 minutes (I think) landed in Atlanta. It was a good conversation and we discussed briefly our beliefs but not too much in depth. I felt convicted by the Holy Spirit to want and desire more but also a peace in just wanting not to start something... it was strange but a relief.

When we landed in Atlanta, he had a connecting flight at 6 and it was 5:23 so I walked with him as far as the food court but by that time I was starving so I wished him well on his way to Orlando for his business meeting and found some food.

Atlanta to LA
After eating some Panda Express, I logged on-line just to check a few things and just kind of thought about what would be next. I decided to find my gate even though it was 4 hours early because of what had happened earlier with things in Knoxville. I randomly struck up a conversation with a newlywed couple on their way to Mobile, Alabama coming back from Disney World. I think their names were Julie and Brad but either way it's just a name. The thing that was crazy is for the first time in a long time some people asked more questions about me than I asked about them. It's not bad, but it just doesn't happen very often if ever. They asked pretty much all the basics within 15 minutes about my journey to Japan. How it started, why I am going and what I see next that God has for me plus all of the details in between. It was refreshing, and I congratulated them multiple times on their recent commitment before God and that His will would be done through their marriage.

After waiting and seeing a few flights come in before ours, I began talking with a woman named Jennifer. I'd gone to get a refill on my small water from Panda Express and noticed she was still there. She appeared to be the type who could be from LA, so I commented and asked where she was going. "Home to LA" was the gist of her response. After further conversation, she had been married for 19 years, had two kids, and was a Mechanical Engineer for a defense contractor with the US Government.

We talked about everything from Christianity to the Lakers-Rockets game that night. After a while, I went and got a smoothie and came back after finding a place she could probably watch the game. However, I texted Google and found out that the game she wanted to watch started at 9:30 Eastern Time- and our flight was scheduled to leave at 9;15. Needless to say, she was bummed but still wanted to go to the place that had the Magic-Celtics game on TV. I stayed at the gate because I didn't want to go eat again and definitely didn't want to take a chance on missing my flight. I think that just by talking to her and discussing things about life it opened the door to her being open to us talking about the things that really mattered- namely, Jesus. I was careful I didn't just shout His name at anyone that would then have deaf ears. I thought, "I don't want to have to worry about this, Lord. Is this you or me that's holding me back?" I don't have an answer for that question at point in time, but I know and trust His leading and His Spirit. After discussing deeper things, like I said before, she went to eat.

From there, about 30 minutes passed and then came an announcement: "All passengers on the Flight 2097 from Atlanta to LA should note that the gate has been changed from A01 to A12. Please go to Gate A12 to board the plane starting 30 minutes before scheduled take-off time." Since Jennifer wasn't in the area, I decided that I would immediately find her and then head to the gate. Luckily, she was eating close by and the chicken salad she had with her could be put in a take-out box and brought with her. She finished her food and I just stayed and talked with her some more. After boarding, I essentially said "good-bye" to her and sat in my seat.

After boarding with plenty of time to spare, I met a young lady (at least, she was younger than I am) named Rita and a woman sitting next to her whose name I forget. Rita had been to dental school in India and was doing her residence Rochester, NY. To make a long story short, Rita wasn't quite sure where she got her beliefs except "from her parents". She needed guidance and all I did was act like an arrow who pointed straight to Jesus. "Just search for truth, and even if you don't like what you get, you'll find it. Just be ready for the Truth. " We both slept for about 3 hours on the 5 hour flight so it was good to just rest a bit on my already long journey.


LA to Korea
When we arrived in LA, I was really hungry. I looked at the board that told all of the times for arrivals and departures, but I didn't understand "TBT" for my flight. I found a Korean young woman there too named Irene who also was looking for the same thing. I told her I thought it meant "To Be T----- (something)" but I didn't know what it was. Since I was so hungry, I asked her if she'd like to go grab some food and then find it together. So where did we go? McDonald's. It was the only thing open at 11:30 at night in LAX.

After eating, we found someone and asked them what "TBT" was- Tom Bradley Terminal, also known as the International (flight) Terminal. We asked where it was and headed toward it. The board still said "on time" at 12:50 so we knew we needed to rush a bit to get there on time. Hurrying into the terminal, we got through security fine and then power-walked to our gate- ironically, the farthest one from the security checkpoint. When we arrived, we had someone saying, "Korean Air Flight 62?" and we said yes. She responded in Korean and I said "yes." Long story short, we got on the plane at 12:35 by my cell phone's time. And again the God of the universe is still sovereign. I just guess He really wanted me in Korea for this past day I've been here.

On the plane, Irene and I didn't have seats near each other so I just went to my seat and was trying to relax. A young chinese guy started asking me questions about where I was going and I did the same with him. He was returning to China and explained how China was easier to go to through Korean Air than China's air carrier. Once we got off the ground, I just tried to relax. I played some games, listened to all kinds of music that was in the system, and enjoyed the Korean Meal they served us on the flight.

All in all, I slept 3 hours, probably played lots of games (Free Cell, Minesweeper and a host of others) and thought about what my True Purpose in going to Japan is. In all of my conversations, I at least attempted to turn the conversation spiritual and not just 'friendly and casual.' I want more. I want deep conversations. I want to talk to people who want to think about the meaning of life, not the shallow ones who only seek after the "fleeting pleasures of sin" that exist on this earth. Brad, Julie & Brad (yes, two Brad's), Rita & the former missionary, Irene and the chinese guy all had one thing in common- they all needed to hear something from me about Jesus. I hope at the very least I pointed them in the right direction.

The Payoff
When I landed in Korea, I went through a temperature check (after filling out a health questionairre related to the swine flu), customs and baggage inspection. I was finally to the end of my destination... at least for now. Merilee showed up about 10-15 minutes after I sat down on the bench outside of Terminal B. It was so so very good to see someone who was not only a familar face from meeting her last year at GRIT but also to see a sister in Christ on the other side of the world.

Today was just an incredible day of meeting new and wonderful brothers and sisters here in Korea. I got to eat at "Super Yummy" aka "The Face Restaurant" for lunch, hang out with Holly (Merilee's roommate) for a bit before napping and then going to dinner with everyone at this Mexican Restaurant for Daniel's birthday. We attempted to play "Pump," the alternative version of DDR and just walked around this huge mall in Seoul.

After the mall, Jason (the guy with whom I'm staying) came back to Merilee's apartment and helped me take my stuff to his apartment before heading over to Linda's (and Jessica's, whom I hadn't met) apartment for some fun and games. We told jokes, played uno and other games until it was time to depart for the evening. All in all, just a great time of fellowship with believers. God isn't just moving in Japan or America... He's moving everywhere.

I hope that through the way God has worked in my life that it will encourage you to do one thing and one thing only: "Run as hard and as fast as you can after Jesus."

posted by Norman @ 4:47 PM