Working with my team last month in Kyrgystan we led seminars at the local university and discussed a varitety of topics with the students of Osh including business, sports, leadership and cultural tolerance. This was a great opportunity to invite young people from around the community and build relationships with them. I enjoyed having the opportunity to lead a workshop with Hakeem on dreams (not to be confused with the ones you recieve when you sleep, they are the same word in the Kyrgysh language).

Instead, we wanted to talk about utilizing our strengths and natural gifts and using them to aspire for greater things. We talked about the importance of inviting people into our hopes and creating attainable goals to help maintain focus and achievement. It seems like such an elementary topic, “to dream”... however, these concepts were groundbreaking to them. Living in a culture that is predominantly muslim, the women are taught that their value is directly tied to being married and having a family. Anything outside of this is unreasonable. It was heartbreaking to hear phrases such as "I wish I had been given this information sooner," and questions like "what if people ridicule you for your dreams?"

Even the simple concept of imagining "what ifs" and striving to reach goals that require creativity, ingenuity, and motivation are foreign to these young people. In Kyrgysh culture, people work hard to become rich so they don't have to work anymore. The wealthy in power practice leadership from position. They do not strive to gain respect through relationships and kindness, but rather by the given authority that they hold. Doing something they love simply because they love it, regardless of what money or power they gain from it, is an idea not to be entertained. 

Being raised in a culture where "the American dream" is instilled in each of us from an early age, and the "pursuit of happiness" is pushed to the max this all seems very basic. Especially living in a country where anything is possible, I have realized the extent to which I have taken advantage of my priveledges. Even with nothing tangible stopping me such as the money, visa, and cultural blockades these foreign students face, I let myself become trapped by the lies I believed and the fear I was overwhelmed by.

Growing up, I always dreamed of traveling around the world, of exploration and adventure. I would disappear into my favorite fiction novels for hours at a time dreaming of faraway places and fantastical people. Fear kept me rooted to my books, afraid of experiencing the failure that was assuredly coming, afraid of looking like a fool in front of people. After many disappointments and closed doors, I finally surrendered my life to Christ and allowed Him to take the lead. He quickly gave me everything I could have ever imagined. Daring stories in unreached places, true community, growth and experience, and the chance to share Jesus with others. He even let me use my psychology along the way in the form of seminars and therapy with special needs children. 

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."- Proverbs 16:3

I made this video to remind myself of His faithfulness to me, and to act as an encouragement to all of you going after your dreams, or daring to dream in the first place. He took what I loved to do, what I'm good at, and while serving Him He has given it all back to me with multitudes in return. I gave Him my life, and He gave me my greatest hearts' desire....HIMSELF.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."- Psalm 37:4

Dreaming: How To 

1. Start with what you are good at and write down what you like to do.

2. Look for patterns to group together and organize into themes.

3. Narrow your list down and make reasonable goals to strive for. 

Example: 

1. List dreams- Backpack through New Zealand, cruise to Alaska, work with special needs people, disciple believers, learn jujitsu. 

2. Pick themes- traveling, culture, people 

I dream of traveling to other countries, learning about other cultures and sharing the love of Jesus Christ with people. What will help me become successful at this? Practically speaking, I need to learn other languages to help me achieve my dreams. It seems broad and difficult, so I narrow it down and think realistically. 

3. Measurable goal-To learn spanish in one year, I will practice 30 minutes-1 hour each day.  

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.- Matthew 17:20