Tomorrow, Tomorrow!!!

I can't believe the time has come!  Lacey and I leave tomorrow for Rwanda and Kenya!  Ahhhhh!!  Please bear with me as I'm a bit scatterbrained right now.  I'm finishing up the last of my preparations for the trip.  Bags are nearly packed.  My mom is here to help my husband care for the kids, which is especially necessary since Mike had to have emergency surgery to repair a hernia on Thursday.  The kids don't seem too concerned that I'm leaving.  I hope they'll be just fine while I'm away, though my heart already aches when I think about leaving them.

Sunday after church I was covered in prayer by my Evangelist and one of our Priests.  They prayed especially that there would be an entourage of angels with us.  I am holding fast to this prayer.

I want to take time once again to thank each and every one of you.  Each of you has contributed in a very special way through prayer, support, financial gifts and donations for our auction. Everything you have done has not only helped us to achieve our goal of going on this mission trip, but you have also built up our spirits and brought tangible proof of God's love and desires for us.

Today I especially remember a wonderful family who has gone above and beyond.  I want them to know that I will be bringing them with me in spirit as I take along a little token that was given to me just less than five years ago.   Little wings will remind me to believe.  Sending you much love!

I will be bringing along a journal to jot down (well, probably write extensively) the experiences that we have in Africa.  Should we have access to WiFi, I will do my best to pop in to the blog and make an update.  Some of you have been signed up for emails from Home of Hope so that you can keep tabs on our progress and travels.  We'll take lots of photos and we look forward to sharing them with you all!

Thank you once again and please continue to keep us in prayer.

Love,
Michelle

Two Weeks, Baby, Two Weeks!!!

It's countdown time!  We are leaving for Rwanda and Kenya in two weeks!! (We leave April 30th)  Both Lacey and myself have completed our fundraising for Home of Hope.  We wrapped up our auction this week and it has been incredibly successful.  Aside from cash donations and donations directly to Home of Hope in our stead, the auction raised an additional $2505.50!!  Wow!  We'd like to say a HUGE thank you to all of our sponsors and the individuals who purchased items from the auction.  To everyone who made both monetary and material donations, we also want to say thank you so very much and we pray God's richest blessings upon all of you.  We will take you with us to Africa in spirit and think of you with everything we do.

The time has come for us to make our final preparations for the trip.  We have had check-ups and received our immunizations.  We've gathered lots of wonderful items to bring with us for the little ones in Kenya.

Michelle's suitcase overflowing with donations.

There is quite a list of items for us to bring to keep ourselves comfortable and safe while we are overseas.  We need preventative medicines, medicines for sleep, stomach issues, and possible allergies, as well as proper clothing, mosquito repellent, first aid supplies, toilet paper, cleansing wipes, laundry soap for hand washing, luggage locks, voltage converters, etc. Oh the list, the list!  Still, as we pack and think of the things we may need, we remain mindful that those we are going to serve have so very little.  

Please continue to pray for us.  Areas we need specific prayer for are:

• Blessing - That we may be a blessing unto those we serve and in turn to our home churches and communities upon our return.
• Protection - Physically, mentally and spiritually (for all below)
• Strength
• Health

If you would like to receive email updates about our trip from Home of Hope while we are away, please let us know and we will have them add you to their contact list.  

Thank you once again for everything you've done!

Love,

Michelle