I could’ve slept late this morning, and I wish I had, but my total excitement, the noisy new baby birds on the front porch, the 2 men I’m leaving at home, and the more than 8,500 miles ahead of us “today” woke me up. That … and the fact that I haven’t packed a thing. But I have 10 hours before I have to be at the airport. 🙂

“So why am I blogging?” I ask myself.

When we’re active in the kingdom work, so is the Enemy. The last 48 hours have been FULL of distractions that have verged on discouragements. I’ve been reminded of how unique opportunities beg for unique prayer. God has answered my prayers in the form of an opening at the doctor’s office, a skirt at the Goodwill, a meal from a friend, sweet time with my family, and the all-too-kind serving of a friend at DIY ministry (aka blog help!). God so often shows HIS kindness through people. I pray we’ll be that for others while in Asia the next 2 weeks.

Pray for our team

So would you pray for us? We’re “wheels up” tonight at 6:50 Eastern time, and we’ll fly through the night over the Middle East (1st time going to Asia via the East). Our team will travel about 30 hours to reach our destination. We have a lot prepared, and our theme is “Trusting in the True God.” Here are some ways you can pray for our team:

1. Clear Bible story telling & teaching
2. Ability for all to minister with a translator
3. Friendship to be sown with tribal women and children
4. Understanding of our messages about “Trusting in the True God” (Songs, skits, stories, lessons, activities)
5. Energy and health to travel and serve well, with minimal jet lag
6. Wisdom to manage finances in another country’s currency
7. Flexibility and joy in activities, food, and travel
8. Insight into needs, cultural differences, and spiritual truths
9. Protection in travel across the world and in 4 foreign cities
10. Unity & cooperation among our team – We’ve been in mentoring partnerships, and this will be awesome “on the field” opportunity for the 4 women to sow into the lives of the 4 teen girls.

 

Pray for me

And would you mind if I give you a few “personal” ways to pray for me and my family? After all, I got up early for you. 😉

– I’m guessing that while I’m somewhere over the Persian Gulf, Jeff is going to find out if he’s having knee surgery while I’m gone. He tells me to “go to Asia and don’t worry about it,” but you can guess how that’s going. Pray for God’s perfect will, Jacob’s help, the doctor’s hand, the mercy of friends, and peace that will pass my understanding.

– My Jo is 17 1/2, and this is the final summer before her senior year. We are watching as God shapes her future. It’s her first time back to Asia since we returned 9 years ago. I’m praying that this will be a life imprinting experience for her and a really sweet opportunity for us as mom/daughter. I LOVE serving with my Jo, and I can’t wait for her to see and do many things I love with me.

– Would you pray for me? I really want the Lord to use me to bless my team members in the way I lead. I pray He’ll help me to communicate the teaching of “Trusting in the True God” to the tribal women, most of whom are illiterate. And I’m feeling my own infirmities … I have a little blood clotting thing that makes me be careful and prayerful as I fly, and this will be my first international flight since being diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease (an inner ear thing) in the fall. Like it or not, I’m getting older, and I am still not Wonder Woman. On a temporary note, the dr gave me an arsenal of prescriptions yesterday for something that will add some inconvenience to flying (ahem).  All of these remind me that this is my earthly tent, and though it makes me feel so “human,” I think that’s a good thing. I’m claiming 2 Corinthians 12:9.  And I’m going to remember that at 5,000 feet when I open that arsenal from the dr!

Really, prayer is the arsenal we long for and need most!  Tomorrow I’ll be posting an index for Ready Set REACH! and then after that, I’ll pop in if I can to post a picture or two. My heart will be full, but the days will be long, and the nights short, so I don’t expect to be blogging much for these 2 weeks. Don’t forget us! Please go with us in prayer. I appreciate that more than you know … enough to get up early.

Blessings, friends!