a very overdue update

With the Africa countdown at 6 weeks and 5 days, I'm finding myself with a little under $2,000 to raise and a whole lotta stuff on the check-list to get done. Thus begins the doctor appointments (malaria meds, anyone?) and trips to random places (like the police department) to get random things (like background checks) done. The plane tickets are bought, and on September 8th at 5:10 pm, I will be on a Uganda-bound plane.

This stage is exciting, but it can easily and quickly become overwhelming. Contrary to what one may believe, the day-to-day reality is not this romantically wild, thrillingly adventurous journey (there are times when it is though). The reality is a trip to the local police department where you find out the only place that does background checks is 20 minutes away.. and they haven't been answering your phone calls all day. You find yourself -at 3:20 in the afternoon- with maybe 3 things checked off the to-do list, overwhelmed and wanting yoga pants and a bowl of chocolate ice cream and a nap.

I have been meaning to write an update for some time now, but it's only recently (as in, the past 2 weeks) that I've started actually doing things to prepare to go. While my lack of updates may make it seem like I take your support for granted, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, my eyes have never been more opened to all of your support than it has been recently.

Until I went to Uganda last summer, I never realized how important the 'Senders' are in overseas missions. And even then, I didn't realize just how vital they were until I came home. And it seems that recently God has wanted to open my eyes a bit more to how precious and essential you, my sweet supporters, are.

I will never be able to adequately express the depth of my appreciation for you. Every email and facebook message is read (even though the reply is much delayed). Every Uganda trip question is a sweet sound to my ears, because it reminds me that you care. And every "praying for you," whether uttered or written, is highly and dearly cherished.

God blew me away last Sunday when I found out that my church's VBS program raised $937 for my Uganda trip. Little kids came up to me throughout the week with ziplock baggies filled with quarters and pennies and dollar bills. And my heart was instantly humbled, thinking of the pink piggy banks and small hands they came from. Parents came up to me on Friday evening with questions about my trip. And while they didn't know me very well, their hearts were generous and wanting to give. The words 'amazed' and 'humbled' and 'thankful' don't begin to explain how that makes a person feel.

When I think about the hearts God touches through overseas missions, my thoughts usually are on the people going, and the ones they are going to. I forget that God has plans in store for the Senders just as much as anyone else. God has been reminding me that you are the reason overseas missions can happen. You, the Senders, make it possible.. with your prayers, your donations, and your encouraging words.

Basically, without sounding terribly mushy, I want to tell you how awesome you are. And how thankful I am for you.

To give you a simple, basic update:

-the background check is halfway done, my papers need one more trip downtown to get sealed and signed
-the travel clinic is closed until Wednesday, but an appointment will (hopefully) happen within the next 2 weeks. Hooray for more vaccines!
-an internet stick and international cellphone need to get looked into and figured out (translation: more random errands).
-the ear pain I've had since December was officially diagnosed as TMJ/ allergies/ possible teeth problems.. while we're worried that all the flying may stir things up more, we're so thankful to have a better idea of what's going on.
-the plane tickets were officially bought 2 weeks ago. So exciting! Our departure date is September 8th and our return flight lands in Chicago on Saturday April 27th.
-the idea of being gone in 2 months is something I still can't wrap my head around. While I can't imagine being gone for 8 months, the more I read about Ekisa and talk with the volunteers I'll be serving with, the more anxious I am for these 8 months.

The next month will be packed with errands and things to get done before I leave, but hopefully summer-y things.. like bonfires and swimming days and dance parties and get-togethers with friends.. will be happening also. It's easy to be crushed with sadness at the thought of saying goodbye to the most important people in my life, and to things like high-speed internet and cheese pizza and American church services (just keeping it real).

Depending on how you look at it, it seems like a lot of goodbyes and last's and heartbreaking. But it can also look like a many first's and learning lots of things and embarking on a crazy, exciting adventure and meeting some oh-so-spectacular kids. While I'm anticipating many days of homesickness and days of counting the cost of following Jesus and feeling that sacrifice, I'm just as expectant for the days of utter joy, and a heart overflowing with His goodness and love, and the closeness to a Savior that comes when one does something completely crazy and out-of-this-world.

Another blogpost will be written soon.. with more information on what's happening, and also with details about how you can stay updated on the things God will be doing in Uganda!