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

Lead Me Lord, I Will Follow

Via Home of Hope on Facebook -
http://www.facebook.com/homeofhopeint

Lead me lord 
I will follow 
Lead me Lord 
I will go 

You have called me 
I will answer 
Lead me Lord 
I will go 

Over the past several weeks, I've begun to get concerned over my ability to raise all of the funds necessary to make the trip to Rwanda and Kenya.  I've been looking for work to pay for the trip and have had several unsuccessful interviews.  Being a mother of two children and running my doula practice has kept me busy, but unfortunately has also left gaps in my resume.  I posted a status on my Facebook profile about my struggles and last night at church, someone called me on it.  

The question was asked, "Did God call you to go to Africa?"  Yes, He has moved my heart to Africa since I was a child.  I closed my eyes for a moment and asked, "Jesus, what do you think about Africa?"  The first word I heard was "Yes."  I asked, "Jesus, can I trust you?"  Of course, the answer was "Yes."  

Fear has been a part of my life for a long time.  Security has always been what I have sought; but, God doesn't want us to feel secure by our own means.  He wants us to put our lives in His hands and be secure in Him...and, once we give our lives and concerns to Him, He doesn't want us to take them back.

God has called me for this mission trip and I have to trust that He will provide.  I will do what I can, but I will leave it in His hands.  Miracles happen when we believe.  May this trip be a testimony of what He can do.

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV)

Love,
Michelle