Traveling
Monday I leave for Tanzania. I am attending a Training Workshop in the language program we are using. This is the second time that I am going and which means that I will have some extra training sessions and will also be leading a table group during the workshop. The training will equip me to coach people who are in the language learning process which is a need right now on our field. I am excited for the training and also not excited, as it means that our family will once again be apart. However, I know that God has his timing and I am hoping that it will be a time of renewal for me. Cecil (our host mom) told me not to worry and that she would take good care of Joel and the boys. I am trying to take that to heart and trust that God will care for my family in my absence.
Sometime I Wonder …
As I packed for this trip, I had to admit to myself that I am not a huge fan of traveling or adventures and especially not a huge fan of doing them on my own. I rely on Joel to get us out of most of our jams. Yet here I am again facing another adventure, traveling inter Africa, through non luxurious airports, to a new country with a new language and culture. Sometimes I wonder what God was thinking when he chose me. He knows that I don’t handle stressful situations well, that I have a terrible sense of direction and I often get sick when flying. Despite all that, he asks me to just go and trust that he will get me through it. It is only by his grace that we walk through each of the adventures we face. I sometimes ask God “why me”, there are others out there who would enjoy this adventure so much more than I. However, maybe he chose me because he knows that it will require full dependence on him and I am learning that is often where God wants me to be. I don’t really know why and don’t really need to, but I know he chose this trip and so I must believe that he will get me through all the adventures that are ahead of me. Yet the reality of it all often makes me smile or sometimes scream, depending on the moment 🙂
What this means for you
I won’t have good internet while I am gone. So it means that I will be silent for a little over 3 weeks. I have tried to faithfully keep my family and supporters weekly updated, so 3 weeks might seem long to some. However even without the update, please remember to pray for us. Pray especially for Joel and the boys as they are home alone and that is never easy.
PS> I forgot to say this in my last post. We will miss your Blog. I always am excited when I see it appear in my mailbox. So while you are being safe and effective in your ministry also log, at least mentally, things you will tell us when you get home. You make us feel so much a part of your ministry there that it is a joy to pray for you.
Bless you dear.
God Bless you. Be safe and may your journey be fruitful. We’ll keep you can the family +Cecil covered in prayer.
Carolyn
Oh my dear sweet daughter. You are so like you’re dad so I so get your struggle. But there is a reason God put you there. And I love what He is doing. I will be praying for you and for Joel and the boys. And Cecil. 🙂
Hmm you mean Joel won’t be doing the weekly posts?
Does this mean you’re riding a giraffe all the way to tanzania? That’s pretty adventurous, even for me. Godspeed on that bumpy journey.