0 Hours to Africa Trip!

We are about to leave to head to the airport! Please say a prayer for me. I have knots in my stomach because of having to say goodbye to Ella. She is just SO sweet. Her little, cute voice and laugh is going to be such a void in my life for the next 12 days. It is the cutest little voice ever. I have completely filled my phone and Heath's phone memories up with recordings of her talking and singing so I can listen to it everyday while we are there. Everyday she says a new word and sentence that completely blows me away. I cannot imagine how much more she will be saying and doing in 12 days. It makes me sad to know that I will miss out a little on her new thing for that day. BUT it's only 12 days! It could be a LOT worse.

Twinkle left me this very sweet comment: "Just think that while you are "mothering" Jesus' orphans in the Sudan, He will be "mothering" your precious Ella. He will, you know. Every hug you make...He will be giving back to Ella."

This morning when I went to get Ella out of bed, I told her, "Ella, this is the day that mommy and daddy are going to Africa." Her eyes got really big and I expected maybe a few tears. Instead, she started screaming, "YEA, I go see Grandma and Meme!" So, I think Ella is going to be just fine!

I wanted to give y'all our itinerary so you would know exactly what we were doing each day and know exactly how to pray for that day.

Sudan is 8 hours ahead of the U.S.

July 22 - Depart DFW at 3:00p.m.

July 23 - Arrive in Amsterdam @ 11:00 a.m., Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda @ 8:00 p.m., Stay the night in Entebbe

July 24 - Leave Entebbe at 8:00 a.m., Arrive in Yei, Sudan at 10:00 a.m., Get settled in and sleep.

July 25 - Head to Lura (orphanage) and meet the widows and orphans; Begin painting and discipleship

July 26 - Continue Ministry in Lura

July 27 - Spend the day in Yei; Our Pastor will preach at a church service that night.

July 28 - Head back to Lura and continue the ministry

July 29-30 - Ministry in Lura

July 31 - Leave Yei in AM, land in Entebbe, Uganda. Drive to Safari Hotel and spend the night.

August 1 - Morning Safari; Drive back to Entebbe; Leave Entebbe at 10:00 p.m.

August 2 - Land in Amsterdam at 5:50 a.m.; Land in DFW at 1:15p.m. HUG AND KISS ELLA 5,000 TIMES!

As you can see, we have 12 full days ahead of us. We will need lots of prayers. Here are some daily prayers for our team.

I pray that as one of Your chosen people, holy and dearly loved, each team member would clothe himself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

In the morning Lord, You hear their voices; In the morning may they lay their request before You and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3

I pray this team would consider their lives worth nothing to themselves, if only they may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to them - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Acts 20:24

I pray as a team, they would be brought together today in complete unity to let the world know that You sent them. John 17:23

I pray that they will use whatever gifts received to serve others, faithfully administering Your grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him. Exodus 15:2

I'm hoping that we will have a good internet connection in Yei because if we do than I will be able to update my blog!! Also, our leader Vernon will be updating the ministry's blog too (if we have a good internet connection).

I love y'all and I can not thank you enough for all your prayers!! They have brought me so much comfort! Trust me, without them I would not even be able to take one step on that plane! Hopefully I will be in touch soon!!

Love,