Africa...

Excitement to get overseas changes almost daily. Many days I am scared to death. I can't believe I have let myself get into this. "This ain't a two month trip overseas!" I tell myself. I am anxious about being so far away from family and friends and all that I know and love.


I got to visit with Mark this past weekend. It was great. His life is right on track with all of his hopes and dreams and I love it. I just want to be here to watch it happen. I shared something with Mark that I had once shared with my mom and am even coming to greater understanding of now.


All the people that work with our group overseas refer to one another as family. They are all uncles and aunts. They begin to treasure the value of community and recognize the need and desire for it in all people's lives.


This realization has helped me clarify my relationships with people in Waco. They were and always will be my family. We laughed together, played together, cried together (sometimes me more than others), prayed together, shared holidays and special events. We traveled together and worked together. We grew closer to Christ together. My relationships with my family in Waco taught me more about what it means to be a child of God. The girls and my boys (who I miss dearly) have changed my life. They have challenged me to be a better follower of Christ and a better family member to my biological family.


However, on days like today I am ready to go. I got to meet a lady from the country I am heading to today. It was exciting. We talked about the city and the people and the food. It left me encouraged and inspired to get there and get to work.


My prayer is that God will grant me community overseas. It may be with nationals or Americans like me. I only hope that I can be blessed by them the same way I have been in the states.


This sounds rather selfish as I read the prayer, but I hope to be the same thing to others. A girl shared something the other day that challenged me. She said, "I'm not going overseas to 'save' anyone. I am going in obedience to God because he wants to work in my life. My belief is that people will see Jesus as I continue to be transformed." What words of wisdom…she's pretty hot too!

Update...

For those of you interested I have received word that Patrick has returned home!