It's Time

So for the last say, 7 months that I have known that I was going to be going to Zambia this summer, it hasn't really hit me that I'll be spending 5 1/2 weeks in AFRICA. It's not just a fantasy anymore, but it's real! I don't usually get afraid of flying and traveling (I mean I think airplane turbulence is fun, it's a "roller coaster")...But that changed this morning, because it hit me this morning that in less than 48 hours, I will be flying half-way around the world BY MYSELF! The thought both thrills and terrifies me. But I'm flying home, to Zambia, and that thought eliminates all fear and completely exhilarates me! I cannot wait to be back among the people I love, in the country that feels so much like home, and hugging those precious little orphans that I am CONVINCED are God's angels.

Since I've been before you would think I'd know a little more about what to expect this time around, but it turns out that preparing to live for 5 1/2 weeks in a third world country is very challenging. There are so many little things to remember. I mean, I'm flying to the land of poisonous snakes, malaria, typhoid, and hepatitis...try to imagine just the medicine alone I have to have! Slowly but surely I've been rounding it all together and getting it all packed. The problem is that there isn't exactly a Wal-Mart in Zambia. If I forget something, I just get to be super resourceful and figure it out. Every time I have a slight panic attack about forgetting something important, I remind myself that the Zambians probably live just fine without the specific "thing" I might forget. I remind myself that they probably don't have the luxury of having Advil for a bad headache or Luna Bars for "extra snacks." They live amongst a lot more germs than I do and survive, and since we're all humans so I constantly remind myself that I will probably survive too without all of my American luxuries that I have convinced myself are actually necessities. And then I get a big reality check. My sweet little Violet doesn't even know what an airplane looks like, yet I'm about to fly for 22 hours on one for probably the fortieth time in my life. If I want candy I just have to go buy some, but an apple and a tootsie roll at the end of the day is a treat to Violet...in fact, dinner isn't even always a promise to the over one million orphans that live in Zambia. Talk about perspective.

All that to say, this is truly one of the most nerve-wracking and most wonderful mixes of emotions ever. I am so blessed to have the life I have. The great thing about 5 1/2 weeks is that I get the opportunity to truly establish some relationships there. Instead of the "Hello" on Monday and "Goodbye" on Friday, I get to have a very long "Hello." I will get to have real relationships with the people that already have such a huge place in my heart. And so, my stuff is all packed, and my heart feels prepared...Not prepared with knowing what's to come, but prepared with a peace and ready-ness to see God's love in a huge way this summer. This summer has been off to an interesting start for me, but I can truly say that God has had a reason for all of it. I know God is in control, and I know He has so much to teach me this summer about how all-encompassing His loving arms are. It's time for me to go be with my King in a country that I know has a special place in His heart. I feel honored that He has shared an important piece of His heart with mine. My Daddy is taking me to work with Him, and I know it is going to be an experience that I will remember forever. IT'S TIME!!!