The 13th Disciple: Photos from Tibet

Our time in Tibet was limited. Due to the heavy restrictions throughout the region, we were only able to travel in specific areas with a tour guide. We packed up and moved almost every night for a week, so there was no time for excuses, fears, lack of courage or feelings of inadequacies while we were there. We have the daily privilege of being on Jesus’ mission, and as I continue to pray to see people the way Christ sees them, He is expanding my heart for those who don’t yet know Him (Psalm 119:32). 

The Great Commission is Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:16-20). In the original language, the word “go” is more accurately translated to “as you are going”, meaning that we are called to be disciple makers as we are going about our daily lives. I pray for divine appointments, the courage to step without hesitation into the doors God has opened, and to be a vessel of His love amid the dark, heaviness of Tibet. With short time and no official ‘host’, I prayed my eyes would be opened to where He is already moving and how we can partake. This is what it means to be the 13th disciple and live life with a mission mindset as you go.

After our bittersweet goodbyes in Xi’an, we took an overnight train to Xining where we met up with the rest of our squad. We were blessed to stay with a World Race alumni who now resides and works in Xining.

She was a gracious host, embodying the posture of love and hospitality as shown in Hebrews 13:1, Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it (NIV).

She absolutely smothered us in love: sharing her kitchen, couches, wifi, and heart. She showed us around Xining and took us to one of her favorite places with the best view of the city: the Tulou Temple of Beishan Mountain.

After a few sweet days acclimating to the elevation of Xining (~7,500 ft), we joined the rest of the squad for a 22 hour train (our longest yet) to Lhasa, Tibet.

Honestly, the 22 hours flew by (except for the fact that I was fasting the entire duration, but more on that another day). We were mesmerized by incredible views every hour of the trip and the rejoiced in seeing our squad family again as we celebrated all that has happened in four short weeks since launch.
Once we arrived in Lhasa, we had no time to spare and immediately set out to see the city (which was ~12,000 ft elevation).

Our eager eyes were met with the kindest hearts.

Yet, there existed a striking contrast of dark, Tibetian Buddhism. 

The next day was the Sho Dun Yak Yoghurt Festival at Norbulingka (the 7th Dalai Llama’s summer palace). We saw traditional Tibetian dancing, and I guess my pure excitement showed because I was interviewed for CCTV (let me know if you ever see my big break to fame!).

Although deeply animistic, we continued to pray with open eyes to see God move; for divine appointments, courage, and to be vessels of His love. With faithful hearts and willing hands ready to see God move, we witnessed HEALING.

We stopped in a park alcove to eat our sack lunches, and Eric was led to sit on a bench under a tree. He then realized he was sitting by a family, and as they offered him tea and bread, he struck up conversation. They told him they would be leaving the yoghurt festival shortly, as the grandfather’s legs were weak. Eric offered to pray a blessing over his legs, and they were miraculously healed. Full of excitement and hope, the rest of the family also asked for prayers of healing. We saw knees, ankles, and dislocated bones repaired and joy proclaimed.

In such a spiritually dark place, God is moving. He paved the way as we stepped in with obedience, hope, and faith to see Him move. We are His 13th disciples as His hands and feet in a broken world.

After an encouraging day at the festival and a reignited hope for our time in Tibet, we left Lhasa and headed towards the depths of the Tibetan Plateau. 

We traveled through the most beautiful and diverse scenery I have ever seen; I kept my eyes PEELED the entire ride as I stuck my head out the window (worth it, but I couldn’t brush my hair for two days).

It really did feel homey – like the deep forests and rushing rivers outside of Seattle, the intricate rocks and desert vibes like the eastside of SoCal, and the blue skies I had been missing while in the congested Chinese cities.

We stopped at a lake for photos and ended up being asked by the locals to play the guitar, which turned into an entire worship set. 

Once more – we WORSHIPED on a MOUNTAIN in one of the most CLOSED regions in the WORLD. God is here, too. He paved the way and we stepped in with obedience and faith. 

“Come, let us shout joyfully to the Lord, shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation! Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout triumphantly to Him in song. For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. The depths of the earth are in His hand, and the mountain peaks are His.” (Psalms 95:1-4)

Amid the darkness and in the places deemed unreached, He is here; He never left. 

From the mountains to the valleys, from the deserts to the raging seas, in the silence and the city streets, Your presence always covers me (SING it).

Let us rejoice with gladness that the Kingdom is HIS, His love remains and His presence never ceases; forever & amen.  

Our last stop through Tibet was a cute town that you could see from end to end, with one hostel that didn’t have running water. Yet, He was there and His presence was felt.

We found community quickly, needing no words but only a smile and a soccer ball.

And then we saw MOUNT EVEREST and our hearts rejoiced with gladness. We exhaled and His unending goodness rushed in. He is the God of the mountains and the God of my heart; I exalt His name forever & amen.

Join me in prayer: Lord, thank you for bestowing Your beauty to the ends of the earth. Thank you for covering us in abundant blessings as we proclaim Your glory. Thank you for answering the desperate cries in the unreached places; Your presence is unmistakable, Your glory without ceasing. You cast darkness to the wind and fill us with Your radical love and unfiltered joy. Help us to overflow with Your love and reflect Your joy as we are going. Lead us to be Your 13th disciples and shift atmospheres, move mountains, and change hearts. Your love is uncompromising and we are Your vessels. 

HEADS UP: I am still in need of people to join me in this journey, both in prayer and financially. If you feel moved to join in with what we are doing, let me know! Any donation helps keep me on the field to serve the least of these and live out the Great Commission.