And So It Begins...

Today... YES, today!!!

Today is the day that Steve and I will fly out of Sioux Falls to Chicago, then to London, & then to Dar Es Salaam, TZ (East Africa) where we will bring our FOUR very large (& heavy) suitcases full of blessings to the Kurasini Orphanage in Dar (this saturday & sunday) & Neema House in Arusha (hopefully all next week)!

Back when this mission was just a thought, I'm not sure either of us really believed we would ACTUALLY be in Africa by the end of the year, but that thought eventually turned into a bit of a pest! It was constantly coming up in conversation where we'd find ourselves speaking theoretically about a trip to Africa very soon... After that it turned into a full-out BURDEN in our hearts to prepare & get there as soon as possible. I"m not certain of the exact date, but before newsletters went out we both agreed that over Thanksgiving would be a great time to go (what better place to realize all you have to be thankful for?!). We actually toyed with the idea that if for some reason the funds weren't in by Thanksgiving, we'd go over Christmas or just whenever it worked as soon as it worked... anyone else notice that we ARE in fact going over Thanksgiving?!

Once we put our dreams into writing and sent newsletters to family & friends we began praying... together... DAILY for all the details to be worked out, for God to give people a specific amount that was to be used to support this mission, and that all would join us in prayer. Since letters went out I can not recall ever getting stressed about God providing a way for us to get to Africa, nor did we worry about how much we should donate or to whom... we've just had total peace that God would provide & that He would lead us... Well, let me just say that we are taking a LOT more (like double) what we were initially thinking was a good number to take along to cover our own expenses and to bless others... which means = God wants us to dream BIG!

There truly is nothing too big for God! Kurasini Orphanage needs their washing machines fixed? Done. Neema House needs a donation to help them purchase their own property & build what they need? No problem. It costs $3,000 for 2 adults to get a round-trip to Dar? Piece of cake! These things that might not have been, WILL BE because of the faithfulness of His people, because of YOU! God is so good & we praise Him for all that will be accomplished during these next 2 weeks.

Prayer Needs:
That God would hold our hearts together as we say bye to Sarah for the longest absence we've ever faced...
That He would protect and strengthen all of us...
Traveling mercies - no missed/delayed flights & that Steve and I will always get to SIT together!
That we would hear Him ever so clearly EVERY moment throughout this beautiful adventure...
ABUNDANT energy & passion like we've never experienced before to do all we're called to do!!!

(If you're unsure how to pray = Google 'the Lord's prayer' or look up Matthew 6:9-13 & just say that with your thoughts toward us... I like the King James Version... oldy but a goody ;) Blessings to you!