Africa Eve

Well, it's the eve of the trip. We leave around 5:15 tomorrow morning for DC and then head for Ethiopia at 8:30 tomorrow evening. We'll have a nice short 15 hour airplane ride. I have plenty of sermons on my ipod and plenty of reading material, but I'm hoping to get some good sleep on the plane as well.

If you read Big Nanny's blog about packing, you know that I was quite shocked when they told us that all of our clothes needed to go in a 30 lb. carry on. Then it was changed to 15 lbs. I really thought it would never happen, but I'm travelling lighter than normal...I still wouldn't say light, just lighter.

Shocking I know, but I have decided not to travel with my study Bible. It may be the first time I've travelled without it and I hope I don't regret my decision. Even though Angela made fun of me, I really know exactly what side of the page certain verses are on and how they're marked. I guess I'm too dependent on it, because a Bible is a Bible and the Word of the Lord is living and active whether it's a study Bible or a teeny tiny Bible. :-)

There's 31 of us on the team, five from our church. I already love two of them to death, but I'm pretty sure by the end of the trip, I'll love Jesse and Tabby just as much. Mission trips bind hearts together forever!

Tabby, Alicia, Jesse, Angela, Sumer

Yesterday I was a bit stressed :-), tonight I am sad. I know I'm supposed to go, but it's hard to leave these sweet faces. Saying goodbye is never easy.

We just had a sweet prayer time as a family. Elizabeth prayed that I wouldn't get sick and she prayed the other day that I wouldn't die or anything like that. Matthew prayed that I wouldn't get "spelled by a witch doctor" and that the witch doctors would turn good. Stephen prayed that the Africans would have enough food and water to live. All sweet and needed prayers!

And of course I'm thankful for this sweet guy who supports me without wavering and allows me to go without question.
Those sweet kids and my dear husband are four reasons that some would decide not to go...the risk is too great...but for me the risk is in not going. The risk is in being disobedient to what God has called me to do.

And so, I go to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the broken hearted and to proclaim freedom to prisoners all in the name of our precious Lord Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 61) May all the nations rise up and call Him Lord! He is worthy to receive honor and glory!!

Thanks for praying for us!!