Traveling Mercies

My flights and travels were smooth overall. In fact, on every single flight there and back I didn't have anyone sitting next to me. I almost feel bad about that being so small and all. But, hey, I'll take it. My watch had broken before my trip and my phone was not representing the correct time. Plus, there is the whole jet lag issue. I remember going to bed around 8 p.m. not too concerned about waking up early. Well. When a loud noise woke me up I figured it might be close to morning. Even though I had asked for a wake up call, I was a bit paranoid. So, I called the front desk to ask, "excuse me, what time is it?" It is 1200, madame." What?!?! I was thinking it might be 5 a.m. I don't think I fell back asleep, maybe an hour? That was too bad. Besides having to pay for a bag without notice and African communication = me walking back and forth, back and forth, and almost missing my flight in South Africa, travels were super smooth. Julie picked me up from Livingstone looking super cute in a polka dot skirt, a cute necklace, and matching shoes. It was so good to see her!!

Ready, Set, Go!

The week prior to departure was a busy one with at least one major trial which happened to involve my malaria medication. I won't go into detail but the persons involved in providing my medication were not doing their job. I was almost in tears on my way to work that Friday out of sheer helplessness. Saturday I was mostly excited... until that night. I started thinking the accomodations were much more scarce than they ended up being and honestly, that was overwhelming to me in addition to the whole trip. My thought process went something like... "What in the world am I doing? I can't believe I did this again..." I told the Lord in all seriousness, "I don't think I ever want to do this again." I just couldn't believe I was doing this. I went to the early service at church the next morning for a send off. Being with my church and getting prayed over helped a lot. Then, my mom drove all the way from Charleston just to take me to lunch and to the airport. She was so brave. That act was probably the most generous thing anyone has ever done for me. Plus, it was really special to spend some time with Mom before heading off. She prayed with me and then walked off. My sister called who was sitting with a handful of our friends in Charleston to pray with me. She asked if she could put me on speaker phone. I asked for her to give me a minute. I had to fight back tears. I think they were just tears of love and appreciation at this point. I was feeling more ready...

Decisions, Decisions

When I first prayed about going to Zambia I was interested in the Advanced Mission Training, which is a 3 month training for those who are interested in becoming full time missionaries in third world countries. When the application asked why I wanted to be a full time missionary in a third world country, I answered out loud: I don't. I was interested a) because I had been looking into going to Zambia and Julie had recommended visiting at least 3 months and b) I was very interested in some of the skills they were teaching. I was undecided between the AMT course and a one month trip to visit Julie. Because this was a big decision affecting many people in a short amount of time, it seemed good to me to get permission. My plan was to approach my pastor, my parents, and my boss trusting God would move in their hearts for me to go if it was His idea and not my own. First, I called my mom. I was nervous. It had been a while since I had suggested something like this to my parents. Perhaps my parents thought I had outgrown crazy ideas! (I won't). I remember trying my best to present the idea in the most intelligent and non-threatening approach such as "this is just an idea at this point, but IF the way opened, would you be open to it?." I explained that I didn't even know what I thought about it. My parents are wonderful, and I have never been more proud of my mom. She actually encouraged me to look into it reminding me that this might be something God was leading me to do and that I didn't want to miss something He would want to do. She also said she wanted me to be with them in Charleston, but she wanted me to do what God wanted for me. BLESSED! Next, I spoke with my pastor. He was very supportive and encouraged me to look into a short visit with the plan to go back for a longer stay if God seemed to be opening the way. Finally, I spoke to my boss who not only gave me permission but said she would support me financially. She also suggested the short term option.

Throughout the process there were many decisions to make. There were many needs both practically and emotionally. I never once imagined that I would be traveling alone... at least in the beginning. I thought for sure he would provide a traveling companion at least to Johannesburg or a place to stay or something. Of course He could provide someone to travel with me- He knows everyone afterall. I got the impression from more than one encounter in prayer that I may be going alone, though I hoped not.

I remember another night lying in my bed. I know money isn't an issue for Him, but I was confiding in Him that going across the world is REALLY expensive especially for such a short time. I think part of me was questioning if I was not being the best steward of what He has given me. He reminded me that how the expenses reflect His heart for the people. They are worth all the expenses, WORK of planning/organizing, and interrupting my life. This satisfied me and I agreed with Him. The Lord spoke to me often and perfectly about my various concerns. I was re-reading a Corrie ten Boom book each morning as a devotional. I was perfectly comforted by His comfort to her needs when she traveled as many of them were my very same concerns. Those moments were such sweet times of His love to me. In particular, He had made it clear not to ask for money for my trip but that He would provide and if need be put on people's hearts to support me. This was as clear as His still small voice is and again, I was comforted.

Just a couple of weeks prior to departure I had three major needs unmet. 1) I had lost my passport and couldn't find it anywhere 2)Vaccines were much more expensive than I had anticipated/remembered 3) I had no place to spend the night in Johannesburg (one of the most dangerous places I have been to). I was overwhelmed. I wondered if I was doing this all wrong. I called my friend, Katie, to pray. I emailed the intercessors at my church. I got on my knees. He reminded me that when I began I had no tangible evidence that my needs would be met, but that I had trusted Him. Just as I had trusted Him when I began, I needed to keep trusting Him again. I didn't have to even worry if I was doing things the right way. He would still provide. I had put it all in His hands. It wasn't about me or for me. I had peace. That very day, I found my passport and received many supplies through my own give away pile I was taking to Goodwill!

I could go on and on, but I will just say that He did provide for me. I had so many needs that I didn't even know where to start at times, but He provided all of them. My heart is thankful.

Preparing the Way

Bakcground: Upon graduating college I developed a desire to support missionaries practically and through prayer/encouragement. I had a vision of going to various missionaries short term in different countries to refresh them. Following His lead has resulted in learning the practical skills of a midwife and various other skills helpful to relationships/serving. My desire is to serve the missionaries who serve the people.

Fastforward: During midwifery school, I took advantage of the opportunity to travel to the Philippines for one month to experience midwifery specific to third world training. It was a good experience that I value and I would do it again given the choice. In addition to the experience in the clinic, I met some wonderful missionary midwives! One of those is Julie. We were housemates in the Philippines. She was a student midwife at the clinic there. I could tell that she had a servant's heart and was a genuine person from the time I lived with her. We happened to graduate around the same time, her in the Philippines and me in Florida. I kept in touch and stayed connected via her updates and email. It seemed that God had traveling short term to other countries in my future. I just was not sure where. I did not at the time feel called to Zambia, but wanted to help when I read her description: Every single minute of every day a woman dies from complications in pregnancy or childbirth and most of these deaths are preventable. I was also moved by this people described as some of the forgotten.

In the meantime, God had spoken to me to attend a Perspectives class during my time of discernment for where I would be practicing after graduating midwifery school. I attended the class in my hometown, Charleston,S.C. the spring following graduation. During that time I was praying about Sudan, Haiti, and Zambia. Haiti and Zambia were the two I was interested in the most. I ended up getting a job offer in Florida. Throughout time I realized His hand on my life here, but no clear direction or opportunity to travel at the present time. After keeping in touch with Julie, a visit from her to my home in Florida, and occasionally checking in with the Lord, the time came when it was right to go. That prospect brought me a lot of excitement and nervousness. I had expected to go to Africa one day for many years in the back of my mind. Now, it was here and I wasn't quite sure I was ready to go. After getting counsel and many prayers, He had confirmed a short term trip to visit Julie in Zambia seemed to be an open door.