we're off!

Tomorrow morning, Nate and I leave for Swaziland, Africa. Things have been crazy here with all the packing, planning, and preparing. We are almost done with all of that, and looking forward to sitting on the plane, knowing we have done all we could do to prepare. Please be in prayer for us over the next 2 weeks. There is so much to do in Swaziland, and so little time. We have a team of only 8 people, 2 are under 14. Our plans for the week include: VBS program for 3 days, soccer tournament for the kids, building picnic tables and benches for the kids, planting fruit trees (for fruit and shade), pastor and pastors' wives encouragement, gogos (the grandmothers of the culture that care for the orphans) appreciation dinner, and we will also have opportunity for hospital visits and praying for people (from my last trip, this is definitely the most heart-wrenching, painful part of the trip. Not for the faint of heart). Finally, we will be going to a cultural center to learn more about the Swazi culture and history, and going on a safari.

As you can see, this is a tremendous amount for the few of us to fit into a week and a half. Your prayers are greatly appreciated and desperately needed. Specifically, pray for safety, health (I am currently fighting a head cold, and don't look forward to 20 hrs of flight time!), and flexibility. I am leading the VBS program during the week, and would love prayer for things to run smoothly, and, most importantly, that in the craziness of 150-200 kids with about 8 leaders, that the message of each lesson will be sealed in the hearts of the kids. Pray for Nate. He is super excited for the trip, but I don't think he really grasps what he will experience. Pray that God speaks deeply to his heart over the next 2 weeks, and that He gives Nate the strength and maturity to process what he experiences.