It wasn’t in my “Important Documents” folder, or any folder for that matter. It wasn’t in either of the purses I usually carried, or tucked away in my wallet. I had looked in every place I could think of, but my passport was nowhere to be found.
I stared at the Ivorian visa application on my computer screen and waited for the “what-ifs” to begin. What if I left it somewhere by accident? What if I end up having to delay my departure for the World Race? What if this…? What if that…? The strange thing is, the “what-ifs” never came. Instead, I experienced an overwhelming sense of peace. God knew where my passport was. He could show me at any moment. Losing my passport wasn’t going to keep me from experiencing whatever He had for me, from knowing Him in a more intimate way. I ended up finding my passport within a few minutes of losing it, but the finding was nothing compared to the peace I felt while it was still lost.
I am positive that over the course of this next year there will be many times I will feel I have lost something important, something necessary. I may, at times, even feel I have lost my understanding of “self”. However, the peace of God is real and Christ died so that I could experience it. In The Message version of John 14:27, Jesus says “I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace.” The peace of God guards our minds in ways that transcends all understanding, ways that this world can’t explain (Phil. 4:7). I think He wants all of us pressing into levels of dependence that this world can’t understand, that require us to say “it wouldn’t be possible without Him”.
In one month I will be boarding a plane for Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa. I will be saying goodbye to everyone and everything that I know…and it wouldn’t be possible without Him!
Route Change
Due to recent violence, we will no longer be ministering in Burkina Faso. Adventures in Missions is working to route us to Laos or Myanmar (Burma) instead. Updates to come!
Finances
I am still in need of donations to cover the remainder of my ministry expenses. These expenses include supplies, vaccinations, and emergency money for any unexpected costs incurred on the field. If you, or anyone you know, is interested in joining my team please visit GoFundMe.com/StephaniePrinz or mail a check payable to Stephanie Prinz to 17501 SW 93 Avenue, Miami, Florida 33157.
Prayer
Thanks…
- For peace that transcends understanding.
- I was able to go on a family vacation and say goodbye to many relatives I don’t get to see often.
Requests…
- Continued peace, protection, and blessings as I uproot from Miami and say goodbye to loved ones.
- That He would provide for 100% of my financial goal to be met before I leave the country.
- For blessings over all of the Adventures in Missions staff, as well as my squad mates, as they prepare for launch!
Important Dates
- July 24th – Send Off @Crossbridge Church (Pinecrest), 6605 SW 88th St, Miami, FL 33156, During 9AM & 11AM Services
- July 30th – Goodbye Open House @My House, 3334 Charles Avenue, Miami, Florida 33133, 7PM-10PM
- August 4th – I fly to Atlanta for “Launch”
- August 8th – We take off for Cote d’Ivoire!
