Getting ready for the ride of a lifetime

I used to love roller coasters.  As a kid, I could go again and again without ever feeling the least bit queasy.  That began to change after I suffered from a ruptured appendix.  The crazy rides left my head spinning and my stomach in my throat.  Five kids later . . . I can handle it a bit, but overall, my thrill riding days were over . . . or so I thought.

Starting the countdown for this trip has left me with butterflies in my stomach and anticipation for what is to come.  The only way to describe how I am feeling is to compare it to a roller coaster ride.  We are starting that first climb, the top is quickly approaching and all we can do is hold on tightly for what is in store.  Unlike an amusement park ride that is over in minutes, this adventure is life-altering.  

We are seeing dreams fulfilled that we hadn't dare vocalize.  Gifts and strengths are being drawn out and our family is looking at this trip with the same vision, with hope, anticipation, and a healthy dose of faith. While Mexico was perspective-shifting, this experience is life-changing.  We don't know what is around the next corner, but we see God holding us, directing us and guiding our every step.  

To be honest, we don't know our itinerary specifically (challenging, when I like everything clearly laid out), but we do know God wants us there.  We know we want to connect with various ministries, but who God will bring into our path has yet to be revealed.  The trip, much like the road leading up to it, will be walking by faith and not by sight.

Did I ever mention that the worst roller coaster I was ever on was in Disney World and it was completely dark?  I didn't know which way to lean, so whenever I tried to guess, I found myself jerked the opposite way.  I finally learned to relax into the ride and just go where it took me.  

The destination in front of us shouts Rwanda, but what it will look like and how everything will unfold is still unknown.  The best we can do is lean back into the arms of God, hold on and know that He will direct us to where we need to be.  He has plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans for our hope and our future (Jeremiah 29:12).  We just need to trust Him with it all and know He will direct our path (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

Specific prayer requests for us this week include:

1. Wisdom and strength for Kim with work.  We've had a tremendous amount of storms which has brought in a large volume of work for Kim.  While it will be great when we get back, Kim needs clarity on the highest priorities this week.  He's been working 12 hour days and is exhausted.  

2.  Sleep for me.  I've been waking up and struggling to fall back asleep.  I do not want to add exhaustion to jet lag.

3.  The right connections with the right people.  As we establish connections and build a general itinerary, pray for clarity that we would connect with the people God wants us to connect with.  

4.  Vision.  We are going to scope out the land, please pray that we would see what God wants us to see and that distractions would not hinder what God has for us to see and do. 

Thank you. We look forward to all God has as we hold on tight for this amazing ride!