Do you have things that you greatly dislike about your life? I’m not talking about the little things that annoy you, but rather your life situation or the way you were made. I have certainly had my share. However, my transition to Indonesia has turned a lot of those things into advantages. 1. Being short. Don’t laugh, all of you taller people who never grew up being at the end of the line on class picture day. Ever since I was young, I’ve been among the smallest of my peers, and it gets old when you can’t reach things, when you are mistaken for a kid, or when you have to spend extra money to hem all of your pants. Many people are surprised when they find out that I’ve hated being small for most of my life, but it’s true. That has changed in Indonesia, however. I’m around the same height as most Indonesians, including the men. When I buy clothes, my size is XL. Being short has helped me fit in because I don’t tower over people and I can buy clothes that fit. Additionally, more cargo can fit in the plane with me than with most other pilots. 2. Being a kid of Asian immigrants. I grew up in Colorado, and my class in school was 95% white. My mom packed lunches that the other kids didn’t recognize. I wasn’t taken to movies or rock concerts like other kids, because my parents didn’t grow up with those things. I hated that I wasn’t like everyone else. Now, I am so grateful that I grew up eating Asian food because I don’t get homesick for American food. I am grateful that I grew up being confused about cultural differences, because I’m rarely uncomfortable when I’m confused about Indonesian culture. Oh, and knowing how to play ping pong has come in handy. 3. Moving to Maryland. When I was 13, my world was turned upside down when my family moved to Maryland. Colorado was all I had ever known. It was cool and dry in Colorado. Maryland can be horribly hot and humid in comparison, and for a year I refused to exercise unless I was forced to in gym class because I couldn’t stand sweating like people do on the East Coast. I prayed every day to move back to Colorado and couldn’t see the move to Maryland in a positive light. Now, I’m so glad I’ve had years of experience with East Coast summers. When I’m sitting in a plane with sweat running down my back, it actually feels pretty normal. There is a famous verse that Christians like to quote from Romans 8:28, which says God is able to work all things together for the good of those He called according to His purpose. As I’ve looked back on my life, it has been cool to see the many ways in which this verse has been true in this calling to serve in Indonesia. News from Joyce Lin October 2019 Disadvantages that became Advantages