"Launch" is such an interesting word to me. I
I feel like a space shuttle (referred to as "her" because usually ships and aircraft are girls for some reason) in the NASA program getting ready to launch to … well, at this point Pluto because that's about how clueless I am about where we're going.
But I like Pluto. 🙂
Launch has been so wonderful. It's been incredible to get back to this wonderful #iFam of mine and get OFF of our Facebook group that has been exploding in the past month!
It's been hard because I've felt exhausted most of the time, my stomach has been making noises and pretending it's out of touch with reality. My heart has been hurting after an almost-disappointing departure from my homestate, but the hard parts are my favorites because I know that God is working in those.
Launch has been confusing becuase I know I should probably drop things from my pack, but I don't want to because I want to just bring everything with me..but it's so heavy. Some things are about to change for real.
This process has been a process, too. It's been a process of reaquainting myself with my team (my family for the next few months) and learning to trust them. It's been a process of being fully present and fully alive while not focusing on the fact that I've said goodbye to my best friends for a year.
Launch has also been really surreal. It really doesn't seem like we're about to board a flight in the morning on a 20+ hour treck to AFRICA, but it also doesn't feel like I'm going home either. It doesn't feel like these are the only clothes I have until next August or that I'll be missing Mountain Day or other grand festivities. It doesn't seem like this – the nations – are at my fingertips. It hasn't registered in my head that this is actually happening. I'm leaving the country. For 11 months.
Launch has been incredibly exciting for a number of reasons, though. I've learned to play hackysack…which I think will come in handy sometime soon. It's my new hobby of choice. I love it. I'm also so PUMPED to get out of the US and get to where we're going!
I know you're dying to know (… and so am I …) so I'll tell you what all I know so far:
1. I fly out of Chicago tomorrow afternoon (Saturday) and fly into JFK tomorrow night (that's NYC..so we're probs just not going to sleep and spend all night walking around because it's New York…and hopefully get some Junior's Cheesecake…this is for YOU, Caleb!)
2. We'll fly out of NYC Sunday afternoon and into Atlanta Sunday night.
Let's pause and call this an ANSWERED PRAYER. I prayed for months for the opportunity to use the brand new, beautiful International Terminal in Atlanta…and guess what – we are!!!
3. We fly out of Altanta Sunday night (roughly an hour after I get there, so I won't be there for long) and will spend the night in the air en route to Johannesburg, South Africa. We'll get to Joburg sometime around 5pm on the 10th (Monday) because we cross the GMT so we lose a day sort of.
4. We'll be in Joburg overnight resting and then we'll leave for our ministry assignments!!!
Right now, I'm not sure where we'll be, but because our squad is so huge (go #iFam) we will be split into four different countries for month one: Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, or Botswana. I'll let you know when I know.
My squad and I definitely need your covering in prayer. We are taking our malaria meds, traveling for a long time, and are in desparate need of good health as we enter our first country and protection. Joburg is a pretty dangerous place. We need faith and confidence. We need extended trust in each other and our leaders. Overall, we just need grace. We are some crazy messed up people and we just need Jesus.
My next financial deadline is November 1 and I am about $2,500 away from that goal. If you are interested in donating, please click the "Donate Here" button to the left of your screen.
Thank you SO much for your support and prayers! You guys are awesome.
