Time to Embark

I leave today! The thought still occurs to me as a far-off event; who knows if it will ever happen? But it is about to. In a little over 12 hours I will be on the way.

The past week was very busy and unrestful, and the people in Baylor Missions kept telling us to be preparing our hearts, which I have found difficult to do. Good thing it'll take a couple of days to get there. :) However, I think there is only so much preparation to be done. The rest will hit me as I deplane in Kigali. And over the next two weeks.

There doesn't seem to be much left to say that wouldn't sound like babbling, except this:
I have experienced the provision of God like never before. This seems like a good time to talk about it.

In January, I made the official decision to go on this trip by laying down the first deposit for a goodly chunk of money. I was so unsure as to what I should do; I'd been praying and asking others to pray, but I hadn't heard anything clearly from the Lord. I called my dad on the day the deposit was due and asked his advice. He said to trust where I feel God is leading me, and he prayed with me. I was reassured and made the deposit. That was a Friday, and I paid that first bit with the knowledge that I did not have enough money in my possession to pay for the rest. That weekend my church had a huge conference, and on the second night of it, a day after I made the deposit, a person who was praying for me told me that God was going to cover my finances and take care of me. I don't know that person, but God spoke through her to the place of insecurity in my heart. Then, even though I didn't have the physical money, I had a promise.

And then the craziness began. I applied for one scholarship and received it. I applied for another smaller one and received it. Some people gave me financial gifts. Then came the largest scholarship yet, and it was one I didn't apply for. By this point, I was astounded by God's faithfulness. I hadn't asked anyone to give me money; I kept not having time to send support lettres, and I didn't know where I should send them. And then I asked the school for more money, and it was given, so that a week before I was to leave, I had my trip basically completely covered. I remembered God's promise to me, and I see that it has been fulfilled to the fullest extent.

How faithful God is to meet our needs. In this case, the provision of finances was tantamount to confirmation for me that I did follow God's leading in choosing this trip. But regardless of our wants being met, He knows our true needs. I believe that He will continue to give me what I need for this trip, spiritually, physically, relationally, etc. Because He is a God of wholeness and completeness. He finishes what He starts.

So I intend to embark on this journey down the Road with eyes and ears open to what God is doing, expecting to see Him. I want to be a vessel of Christ's peace and compassion and to draw my strength from Him through every situation. I can hardly believe I've been so blessed. Here we go. As my grandparents say, Bon voyage!