Reality sets in and preparation picks up speed

We now have our tickets and we will be leaving Monday March 4th at 6 AM, stopover in Atlanta and onward to San Salvador, we’ll be there at 1 PM.  When we received our e-tickets Dianne and I looked at each other and it set in that “we are really going to El Salvador”.

The mission was no rash decision but as it gets closer the apprehension bubbles to the surface now and then. It’s exciting but kind of like rollercoaster excitement, not the ups and downs comparison but the excitement and dread as you climb the hills, knowing what’s next and then the “ what the hell are we doing” as you go over the hill, turn upside  and the adrenaline rushes through us. We assume that’s the Holy Spirit.

 The loose ends consisted of where would we stay before school, where will all our things be stored till we get to El Maizal, who does the visa’s, is anyone going to help us buy a car, we need to contact the U.S. embassy, can we ship things ahead of time, how much luggage can we have, is there an embargo on totes this time of year, we need to go to the travel clinic, what about our health insurance, we need to buy new cellphones when we get there and it goes on and on. The preparation has been like a snowball rolling downhill for us. A day doesn’t go by that we aren’t working on something regarding the mission. Trust me when I say, just because we have been called to do mission, the heavens have not opened up and the path made straight.  Everyday life has not stopped for us or for any of the many people we are working with us to make this happen. 

It may seem overwhelming and I am one of those people who soothe themselves by planning, planning and more planning to make sure the path is straight but it just doesn’t work that way. Don’t get me wrong, all those loose ends have almost completely come together in a matter of days but not by planning and worrying but by believing it will.

Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

I forget that these aren’t just promises, these are declarations of God.  I believe that when we look at it in that way, it’s easier to take that deep breath, do those countless e-mails, and make those telephone calls and the next thing you know things come together.