Pray With Us

Okay, time to freak out. In less than 40 hours, our flight will depart from DFW (on to D.C. to Johannesburg to Lusaka, arriving in Lusaka at 9 p.m. their time Saturday night - 1 p.m. Central time). I'm going to Africa! and soon! It's happening!! EEEEK!

Breathing... breathing...

and in the meantime, I need to get some sleep and relax a bit, but thought I'd share a few prayer requests as we prepare for the journey:

• Travel: Luke hates to fly, and anyone who knows me knows I can't sit still for long, much less a 15-plus hour flight... Additionally, in country we will be taking an 8-hour bus ride one day and several flights on small planes. Please pray for safety and sanity through it all.
• Packing: We're transporting a lot of gifts for missionaries, orphans and nationals - please pray that it all fits and that we stay within all weight and size requirements. One pound overweight could cost another $250!
• Customs: Apparently they're really cracking down over there - even Benadryl could get confiscated - it's considered a narcotic. Please pray that we all get through, with all our stuff, without any problems.
• Health: Pray that the anti-malarial meds do their job and no other issues arise.
• Relationships: Please pray that our team of eight will form and maintain strong relationships and will be able to be honest with each other and lift each other up. Especially for Luke and I - this is the most consecutive time we will have been able to spend together since we got married! Also, pray that we may be a blessing to those whom we serve and those with whom we will serve. The missionaries in Zambia have done a lot of work preparing for our visit, and we definitely want them to feel as though it was all worth it!
• General Direction and Grace: Please pray that the Lord will be glorified by this trip, that He will work both in and through us, and that He will open our eyes to where and how He would potentially have us serve long-term in Zambia (or if He has other plans altogether). Please pray that our focus will be first and foremost on the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and that we will be "blessed to be a blessing."

We won't likely be able to communicate again until we return - so have a great few weeks and be looking forward to great stories, beautiful pictures (we end the trip at Victoria Falls), and testimonies of the Lord's goodness.

May He keep you and Bless You.