I wish I had found out about the trip being cancelled before I sent out our visa applications, but it turns out the timing could have been worse. We were able to cancel our flights and applications with refunds and minimal penalties. Not a big deal in the whole scheme of things, but it's at least a nice little happy thought.
Call me or visit me if you want to know more about what happened there, but I don't have a lot more to share. The VBS we were going to help with kept expanding every year, and locals in the area didn't like that. As it was explained to me, "The situation is not good."
I'm dissappointed we can't go, but I feel worse for the people there. I have never felt close to actual opposition before, not "you're stupid", but "I don't like what you're doing and I'm going to stop you." It was a sobering phone conversation.
I was impressed by the maturity of our team. Teachers and students took the news well.
Our school's missions trips to the Philippines in the spring and summer are still going strong, and may even expand if members of our team decide to join.
I can look for reasons in all this, but that will only make my head hurt. I'll end up with more questions than answers.
I want to thank my wife for encouraging me as I saw this trip through from beginning to end. She helped me feel like a leader even when I felt like there was nothing left to lead. Thanks, honey.
I don't want to end with my feelings, however. I'm just a tourist. Please pray for India, Burma, China...
...the list goes on.
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