I’ve never left the country without my family before, and I never realized all the preparation that had to be done until it hit me full force. There is so much more to think about, passports, insurance, flights and layovers, and of course, jetlag. My days have been full of jumping from thing to the next trying to get it all done and constantly feeling like I’m forgetting about something. And there is something I forgot, but it’s not what I thought.

 Through all of this preparation it’s been so easy for me to breeze over how God has been working through everyone around me. There is no way I could possibly be ready for this trip without all the people who have been so excited to help me along the way. My family has helped me get everything I need to pack and guided me through traveling internationally. And so many people have offered to pray for me and support me financially. 

Getting ready for this trip has been so much more taxing than I ever expected, but it has also been so rewarding. Over these past few weeks I have been able to tell so many people about what I’m doing, and I was shocked at first at everyone’s enthusiasm and excitement about me going on this trip. I’ve been able to see Christians’ passion for mission show through their interest in this trip, their desire to pray for me, and their generosity when supporting me financially.