The Journey has finally begun

REFLECTIONS OF THE JOURNEY
It’s hard to say exactly how this day arrived. It was gradual yet abrupt. We had talked about going to our farm in South Africa to spend time in meditation, getting away from our daily routine to hear God for this season of our lives. It took on a different look when we were invited to, China, South Korea to visit several ministries there. Then we made the decision to visit my niece in Myanmar - why not stop in Tokyo and Hawaii on the way home? Next we were given the opportunity to speak with the President of Uganda! Taking a trip around the world was on my list of “things to do before I die,” along with a hot air balloon ride (check) and hiking Mount Kilimanjaro (unchecked), and other feats. How did this day September the 23rd get here? Air Carriers have great deals on round the world trips, Vish patiently made adjustments to our itinerary as our schedules changed, visa applications, what to pack while traveling to several climates, hotel reservations, emails to my niece and interrupted sleep as my mind raced.

One of the most exhilarating moments in my life is experiencing the ascension of a plane. One second you are looking out the window while sitting stationary on the concrete runway with a very limited view of your surroundings, suddenly you hear the roar of the engines (and a slight rattle of the glasses in the galley) and you are soaring with an uninhibited and unlimited view of the horizon. This is a symbol of the transformation I want in my life in this season. Like the caterpillar that turns into a butterfly, I want to rise above the obstacles and hindrances that are holding me back and move into the future God has for me.

I am aware of the fact that the reality of travel is not always what I anticipate. As I am sitting in seat 7 D, Airbus A340-600 with 333 other passengers, I am wondering what is between the lines of my itinerary – Washington Dulles to Johannesburg – J-burg to PE – PE to Uganda to Singapore to Thailand to Myanmar to Korea to China back to South Korea, Tokyo and Hawaii. I have experienced South Africa – but the remainder of the trip is unchartered waters. While researching on Google I have gathered information and seen images, but how will my expectations differ from reality? What is God up to? My emotions swing from sadness (when my thoughts go back to my family and friends and the realization that I won’t see them for 7 weeks) to excitement when I think of what is ahead.

LIVING LUXERY IN THE AIR
Seat 7D, if you haven’t figured out, is business class. Gene and I were booked in economy this leg of the journey and were bumped to business. As Graham Cooke would say, “God is the kindest person I ever knew!” To my left, Gene is sitting in lounge position, reading glasses resting on the end of his nose, sound asleep, tooth pick in his mouth. I wonder how you can experience the life of royalty–while seated in a plane at 35,000 ft. in the air. Like a smiling waiter handing you a warm moist cloth before being served Thai seared shrimp as an appetizer, pan fried halibut moistened with caper butter presented with tomato braised rice; and get this, Haagen Dazs” Dulce De Leche ice cream served with a cigar wafer! Life is good even if you are up in the air :)

SOUTH AFRICA AT LAST
We arrived in Port Elizabeth SA about 5:30 Sunday afternoon. At the airport we met up with Tony Sherman and Barrett Sites who had been ministering with Vish in Durban. They had some great times of ministry. Saturday night the meeting went until1:30 in the morning so they are tired. Barrett and Tony will spend several days with us on the farm to help with renovations before returning to Durban to minister again. The first two weeks of our trip will be spent here on the farm so events may not be so exciting, but I will continue to post. Maybe I will take some pictures, though I am uncertain whether I will have internet connection there.