Departure Date

Last night our Executive Director at CSI Ministries announced that I will be leaving for Jamaica in March. This is what I have been waiting for. It was just over a year ago when I knew that the Love God has given me for the Jamaicans required action. But now that I know when I will be leaving there are many mixed emotions and tons of thoughts running through my mind. Will I be home for Christmas next year? Boy Oh Boy is it going to be hard to say goodbyes. I'm praying that there will be many Good times within the goodbyes. I wonder how involved the visa application process will be. My comfort in this is that many others have successfully completed the visa process before me. I wonder if I will be fully funded before I leave, right now with earthly eyes it sure doesn't look like it. But I say, God is more than able, after all everything in heaven and on earth belongs to Him. I wonder how many suit cases I will want to take with me? I don't have many possessions left, at least by American standards but still, it will probably be more than a couple of suit cases. How do I let all those who have come into my life know just how much I will miss them? What is in store when I arrived in Jamaica? What wonderful acts of God will I witness?
What? How? When? Where? Why? Many, many questions.

Right where I'm at

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task,

 but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks

 as if they were great and noble."

 Helen Keller

Jamaica

Today my heart is full of love. Do to my journey to Jamaica and the need to raise support I have a greater understanding of the importance of interdependence of the body of Christ. Without others coming along side me and offering their prayers and financial support I would never be able to accomplish the dream God has placed in my heart. That dream is to live in Jamaica and to love the Jamaican people with the love of God.

Added Value

Today a friend that I had met in Colorado at missionary training joined me for worship service. By taking the time to make almost an hour drive to come to church with me he added such value to my life. I know that he has family, co-workers and many friends to say goodbye to before he leaves for the mission field at the end of the month, but he took this morning just to see me and say goodbye. Each and every one of the 42 adults and 16 children that I had the privilege of getting to know and loving during this three week training hold a piece of my heart now so I understand why he came.  

I have learned a great lesson today from a great man of God. I would normally think that it would not matter much if I went to see someone who I will not be around again for the rest of my life on earth, but not this man. He knows how important it is to love well and say goodbye well. 

My prayer for this wonderful man is that:

 "The LORD bless you 
       and keep you;
  the LORD make his face shine upon you
       and be gracious to you;
  the LORD turn his face toward you
       and give you peace." 
Thanks for making me feel special. God Bless!

Training

On Monday morning August 3rd I will be boarding a plane to Colorado Springs, Colorado where I will be picked up by a shuttle and transported to three weeks of training on cross cultural ministry. My training will take place at Missionary Training International (MTI). You can check out what MTI looks like here. I will miss being home with my both my family and my church family, but this will be a good chance to practice being away from home.