In just two short months, give or take a day, we will be starting our trip to Kenya. We still have a lot to do: planning, fund raising, shopping, packing, immunizations and all the other tasks that need to be done before we leave. This is the time when the struggles and battles will start, anything to make us doubt ourselves and the ability of our God to see us through. During this hectic time of making final preparation we need to pray more than ever. We need to pray for the trip, for the team, for the people we will meet and serve with. Most of all we need to pray for the leaders. Every time I have been on one of these trips it seems that problems start popping out of the wood work. The closer the start of the trip gets the more things seems to get in the way. This is especially true for Tim and Chris. They have to prepare themselves and do all the planning and preparing for us. The enemy knows if Tim and Chris get distracted or discouraged it will have an impact on all of us. I can only imagine all the obstacles that must come their way given the things I have to deal with. We need to pray that God will protect them and give them guidance and strength. We also need to pray that God will protect them and help them find favor with everyone they need to deal with as they finalize the preparations for the trip. We need to do everything we can to help them by listening to their instruction and being good followers.
I am truly excited about this trip and what we will see, do and learn. So far nothing about this trip has been like any of the trips I have gone on before. It is exciting to see how the trip is unfolding as each day passes and we haven’t even left yet. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for the team and our church as we move forward.
I have been praying daily for Tim, Chrissy, and you for the last weeks and will continue to right trough the trip. I am so thankful as a team member to have your experience to learn from. I am so thankful for Tim and Chrissy's leadership as we face changes in our lives because of this trip. It makes me think about the missionaries that will host us in Kenya, they deal with attacks on a daily basis with no end, while living on the front line. I realize now I must be praying for them daily to. I also think about our church leaders here at home and know they face the continual battle as they also live on the front lines. It changes our attitudes about those we follow, when we put in perspective the continual battle they face on all our behalf. I have thought about this as this trip has been planned, how it increases the battles for Pastor Jerry as he endorses this trip and still must navigate the everyday battle of ministry that happens for our church family. I must pray daily for him in regards to this trip also. Our hearts should always be on high alert for our leaders, filled with grace, love and a commitment to understanding they are suffering as they lead. Thank you Mike for being one of those leaders, willing to put it on the line to help others know Jesus and grow in His love.
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