3 months and counting...

So, I've decided since I'm going to ywam and I have lots of family and friends that I'll be leaving behind, I should start a blog. This way I can keep everyone in the loop on what I'm up to.
As of right now I am three months [technically 2 months and 28 days] away from leaving and the time is flying by! On Sept. 10th I'll be boarding a plane bound for the Pacific Ocean and the island of Maui. I'll be based there for the first three months of my DTS. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten the "oh pooor you" eye roll when I mention where I'll be based and I can't say that I blame people. I'm sure it's going to be amazing living in Hawaii, but my real reason for choosing Maui is its focus area. When I first decided I wanted to do missions and eventually decided YWAM was the place I wanted to do it, I wasn't positive where I wanted to actually go. India? The middle east? Africa? But the place God laid on my heart was China [which turns out to be one of YWAM Maui's main focuses right now] which made their base the obvious choice.
Since I'll most likely be heading to China in a matter of months, I've wanted to learn a little more about the people and the country itself so I picked up a documentary last night and started watching it and the most amazing thing happened. I was sitting there watching some footage of a peasant family enjoying a meal together. They were laughing and smiling and despite their yellowed teeth and weathered faces; tattered clothes and the humble means of their home all I saw was God's beautiful creation. I started tearing up, my heart was bursting with love for these people I didn't know, but longed to serve. My heart was aching for the people of China.
I am so excited for what lies ahead in the months to come and I am so excited to be a part of the work God is doing around the world! Please keep me in your prayers as I step out into the unknown, holding the hand of the all-knowing! I'll be sure to keep you updated! God bless!

Chelsey