It's getting real folks!

I said in my last post that I was going to be having a fundraiser at Culvers. I was actually looking forward to it and seeing a bunch of friends!! However, I found out that all my support has come in. $12,500 in 34 days. Did I just write that? 34 days. Blown away. (Insert the "Praise God!" happy dance going on here!) And to top it off, more that that has come in! This part of the journey is honestly one of my favorite parts. I love watching how God moves in the hearts of my family/friends to help send me to Africa. From the two little ones at my church who pooled their money together and gave me $22.00, to the missionaries who don't have much that have gone above and beyond, to the worker at the AT&T store who helped me with my phone when I needed repair and gave me $500.00. A complete stranger. Only God!! How reassuring it is to my heart to see this-to know that this is where God wants me right now without any doubt. So grateful to all of you who have given. I definitely couldn't do this without you!

My plane ticket was purchased last week!! I'm leaving out of Detroit on June 22nd and will arrive in Durban on the 24th. I'll have 4 flights with a layover in London. I'm hoping to be able to go out and explore a little bit while I'm there, as I've never been to that part of the world before. I was also given approval by TEAM to visit some of our missionaries in Spain on the return trip home in January. (More on that later) :)


I'm gathering all my visa things to make a trip to the South African Consulate in Chicago on the 22nd. Getting my plane ticket was the last thing I needed to bring it all together. Please pray that everything will be accepted, and it will be an easy in/out. 

A few weekends ago, I went on a ladies retreat with my church. The theme was a Garden Getaway, and it focused on the different seasons of life-the hard, the good, the joyous and how God is there in each of them. I think my favorite part was the prayer walk. We all went out separate ways, and the book had six stopping points along the path you chose, with scripture and some questions and a time to meditate, reflect, and talk to God. For example, one was Psalm 23:4, which says, "Even when I walk in the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me." And the reflection part was sharing with God about the dark valleys you are facing, and asking Him to stay close and bring you comfort. It was dedicated quiet time out in His creation to speak to Him and listen--something that can be hard to come by these days. I first went prayer walking in Venezuela in 2001. Up to that point, it was foreign to me. I often take time to talk to him when I'm out walking now. If you haven't tried it, give it a shot! It may feel uncomfortable at first, but it really is beneficial and rewarding!

 

A few ways to pray now:

Please pray for me as I have only 2 weeks left with my littles. They mean so much to me, and leaving them is hard stuff.

Pray for no glitches in turning in the things needed for my visa application on May 22nd.

Pray for safety on the road as my friend and I head West for some time of heart preparation for my trip. I'm looking forward to being out in this beautiful land God created for us for a couple weeks!

Pray for a continued desire to spend time with Him daily. It's so easy to be distracted, and I have to work on that constantly.

How can I pray for you?

**I will be having a going away open house at Friendship Park on June 13th from 11-3. Please stop in and say goodbye!  (More details coming soon!) :)