What are we doing?

As we have been preparing to go to Japan this past year our expectations, confidence in our calling and the wisdom of our decisions has waxed and waned. No denying that.
Thankfully we haven't had a lot of people criticizing our decisions so far, because we provide plenty of internal questioning and criticism ourselves. 

I was asking myself again a few days ago, "What are we even doing going to a country we've never been before and not really knowing all the struggles and challenges that will be present?" 
Frankly we don't really know what we're getting into.

However, as I began to ask myself that question—while trying to research as much as I could and prepare myself as best as I can. I began to realize that what I'm proposed with is something I've faced before, not too long ago.

About this time last year I was very seriously considering, even planning, marriage to the most beautiful girl on earth. Yet, the more I planned and read and tried to prepare myself for all that might be in store I quickly realized that I can never know everything beforehand. I'll have to just take the plunge and then trust God to carry me through. I cannot predict the future, so by definition if I make a commitment about things I'm going to do I must trust God for help.

I realized, the situation we're in now as we consider Japan and keep moving forward is rather similar to getting married. A song writer we know, Don Francisco, says, "Nobody has any idea what they're doing when they get married. You can know a person 3, 4, or 5 years, but you don't really know them until you get married. That's just the way it is."
I would completely agree.

I thought I knew Calli before we got married, but looking back I feel as though we were almost strangers on our honeymoon compared to the depth I know her after only 10 months of marriage. 

So it is with our applying for Japan. We can do all the research we want (and we are doing a lot), but ultimately nothing can really prepare us for everything that's in store except God Himself. When two people get married they (at least ideally) seek God's will about making vows to that person and if they are convinced He is leading them down that path they take a step of faith and commit to something which has almost innumerable variables and uncertainties. However, they commit based upon their faith that God will be their support and that no matter what He has in store for them (death, sickness, poverty, tragedy, etc.) He will be able to carry them through it.

At this time we are applying to serve in Japan indefinitely (until the Lord directs us otherwise). Are we afraid? In some ways, yes! However, we've already trusted Him by swearing to love one another until death separates us, so we're ready to trust Him with this as well.

What are we doing? We're placing our trust in the only one who is trustworthy and believing that He will support us through everything that He has planned for us. It is up to us to obey, whether we know everything or not, it is up to Him to do everything else (so that He gets all the glory He rightly deserves!). 
"Speak, Lord, for your servant hears." "Here are we, send us!"