The Final Countdown

This year's mission team training concluded on Sunday after everyone received the necessary immunizations and prescriptions. Can you say ouch!

Two weeks from tonight the actual physical journey begins; on the evening of Tuesday, July 10th we depart from Dulles landing in New York where we will spend the night, get our last real shower for a few weeks, and begin the 18 hour flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. From there we will board our connecting flight to Livingstone, Zambia; after clearing customs we will begin our overland journey to our final destination, the Mission of Love Orphanage.  But our spiritual journey has been underway since God began to change our "wants" so that our heart's desire became aligned with the plan He has for His people. Phil 2:3 NLT says it like this: For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.   Please pray for all of us that our hearts will beat in unison with His, because our training manual calls this "crunch time."  There is still so much to do,  breaking in boots, spraying clothes with insect repellant, finalizing testimonies, packing, and re-packing. All these last minute details leave us vulnerable to worry and stress which we know can be used by the enemy in an attempt to separate our hearts from His.  

This week's lesson includes a series of Bible verses for us to reflect and meditate upon.  The one that speaks strongly to me tonight is John 15:15-17; most particularly this portion of the passage: You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name.  This is My command: Love each other. I am reminded that each of us was selected by Him for this moment in time - not just the FBCW team, but the people we will meet during our time in Zambia and together we will bear fruit for God that will last.  You too can join in this moment by praying for us - Richard will tell you from prior journeys that the team can feel your prayers - that they are as essential to the team as the flight to get there. I will close with this verse as your invitation to join us:  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10.