They say that there is a calm before the storm. A stillness that soothes and provides rest before the “whatever is going to happen” happens. But tonight there is no rest. It’s 10:09 pm and we just finished our last session of launch. In just two hours we head to the airport to embark on the first travel journey. And if you saw the shape of the hotel room I am in, you would see that rest will not occur before we depart. Drea is trying to reorganize her pack and find the best way to fit all that she is taking. There is the ever serious question of where to put the letters that loved ones have given her. Jeannetta is taking her last shower in the U.S. soaking up the comfort of hot water and cleanliness of American hotels. I don’t actually know where Emily went but she is not here. In fact someone just came here looking for her. Last I saw she buzzed in and out with a fellow teammate but something by the looks of the corner of her room tells me she is not yet prepared to leave either. And then there is me. Just waiting.
Because once 12:20 hits, things are going to be moving. Our agenda for the next few days looks a little like this:
12:20 am. July 3. Shuttle to Atlanta airport
5:45 am. July 3. Flight to Charlotte, North Carolina
7:34 am. July 3. Flight to New York, New York
10:50 pm. July 3. Flight to Warsaw, Poland
2:20 pm. July 4. Flight to Sofia, Bulgaria
8:30 pm. July 4. Train to Belgrade, Serbia
Arrive at destination at 4:54 am on July 5
That’s four flights, one train, two shuttles two or from the airport, and two days gone missing (not really, but it’ll feel like that). And yes, there will still be a lot of waiting during this travel itinerary. We have about a 10 hour layover in New York… But really, things start happening once 12:20 rolls around. And in the midst of realizing that there will be no “calm before the storm,” it still feels like we are one the eve of great battle. And perhaps we are. For we are about to fight for the Kingdom of God more intensely than many of us have ever done before.
And there comes the question; am I prepared to go?
Well, the answer is no. I’m not quite prepared to go. I don’t know if I ever will be fully prepared. But now is the time for me to leave. And my heart is ready.
The two plus days of travelling will be needed in terms of processing all that is happening. (Sidenote: earlier this summer me and my roommate Amy learned the value of extended travel in terms of processing as we drove eight hours to Training Camp straight from our graduation ceremonies… So yes, long travel is great for processing). It will provide time to reflect, connect with squadmates, be at peace, but more importantly it will provide time to listen to the voice of the Lord. And I must admit, I am most looking forward to the last of those. Because I am intrigued to hear what the Lord has in store for Team Ironlife this month, as well as myself. We are being sent to Belgrade, Serbia. I know nothing about Belgrade, Serbia. But the more and more I learn of it, the more and more I am excited to call it my home for the next month.
Thus I pray. I pray that the Lord speaks and provides direction on where to go and who to love and what to see during our time in Belgrade. And I pray that as we follow His voice, He will in turn bless our team and bring us together on a level so deep, we couldn’t imagine it on our own. I pray that we will see all that He plans to show us. And for myself, I pray that my intimacy with my Father will grow to such level that I increasingly crave more and more time with Him.
Until then though, I am waiting. Not in stillness but in peace. On the eve of great battle, we look to the Lord.
