AFRICA!!!

Wow - it is 9/9/09 and the day that has been on the calendar since April with the label "Ronny leaves for Africa Mission Trip!!!!" I can't believe it's finally here!

We packed all weekend...I actually started packing some things for him last week - medicine, socks, making sure he had enough underwear - not everyone going on this trip had a "wife" to help pack!! I know it was a big help to him. He was one of the only people not stressed out this morning! Everyone was excited to go. And it rained and rained all morning.

My mood matched the weather. I didn't expect to cry, so I was surprised when I couldn't stop crying all day long! It's not because of missing him, which I do, or because of being left here alone, pregnant and with two rambunctious boys, which I am...I am really completely overwhelmed at what God will have Ronny experience through this trip. I can't even imagine how his heart will be softened, molded, and even broken for the lost and destitute. I know he will come home with a greater understanding of God's love for his people, and his desire to see His Kingdom reign on earth through us.

My prayers for Ronny have centered around him receiving clarity to the vision and dreams God has given him during this time. While he will have work to do while he's there, expanding God's kingdom and bringing the message of hope and Jesus to the lost, I believe he will have an opportunity to hear from the Lord with greater clarity and focus since he is able to be separated from his normal, daily life (stresses, joys, and all!!!) back home.

So many people have told me that my husband will come home a changed man. I've heard that he will leave a piece of his heart in Africa. Mission trips will do that to people - it's called transformation. I believe I will see many of my prayers answered for him. I'm so proud of him, so happy for him, and cannot wait to hear about this adventure when he returns.

PS - he took my camera. I made him promise to take LOTS of pictures, and that I wanted to see pictures of him interacting and being with the people (not just him taking pictures of other people). A few weeks ago, I felt "left out" when I realized that I wouldn't get to be there taking those pictures of him. If I can't be there, I hope I can "see" the story through those pictures. I'm counting on it!!