Well here we are. November 30. Thanksgiving has come and
gone, and we are now less than 12 weeks out from the biggest journey
we've ever been on. Kelly's been to England, and we've both been to
numerous Caribbean islands, but never to the African continent. We'd be
lying if we said we weren't a bit nervous--and maybe downright
scared--of the unknowns. But we know that this trip has a higher
purpose. Adam likes to imagine that the Apostle Paul was a bit uneasy
with some of his journeys too, so we should take comfort in the fact
that he went where (and when) the Lord wanted him despite his nerves.
Perhaps the biggest source of our angst is that we will be
away from our kids for far longer than ever before. Grandma and Grandpa
were gracious to take them for 5 days and nights this past June, but
this trip will last 3 times that long! For a family who's never paid a
babysitter, this is significant.
Even though our kids may never remember that we went on
this trip, it will frame a lot of conversations with them in the future
as they grow up. And we hope to be able to impress upon them the
importance of doing "good to all people, especially to those who belong
to the family of believers (Gal 6:10)" when you've been blessed with the
ability and opportunity to do so.
"To
look after orphans and widows in their distress," as James put it in
his epistle (1:27), is exactly what we will be doing, While we are
eagerly looking forward to helping out while we are there--building a
cattle shed, mudding a house,
helping with some basic medical care, whatever else is needed--mostly, we are looking
forward to simply meeting our fellow Christians and worshiping alongside
them. It should be an awesome experience!
