Leaving

I'm leaving for Ethiopia again today.  I've had a full week off to hang out, get ready, and try to stifle boredom.  I'm more than ready to just leave and be there.  I've packed 49.2 lbs of my 50 lb limit plus a computer bag without a computer (hey, it's bigger than my purse!) and a backpack.  We've been blessed with so many donations that we are going to look like we are leaving for 6 months instead of 2 weeks.  Our team is a little anxious and nervous but mostly just excited.  Excited to see what God has planned. Excited to love on a lot of people and kids. Excited to learn more about each other and our own walk with God.

On Monday, I get to meet the young man who I sponsor through Compassion International.  He's a 6 years old and just finished his first year of school.  I can't wait to meet him and just show him how much he's thought about an ocean away.  The language barrier makes things challenging but I'm bringing a soccer ball so rest assured we'll probably get along great.

I'm not taking my computer but Mark is and he writes a blog here http://www.aardsma.com/.  He'll be posting some so you can check to see some of what we are doing there.  We are also going to send some email updates to our families so if you really can't wait until I get back and have a chance to put stuff here, email my mom and she can forward you some updates.  Thanks so much for the prayers!! And remember, I might be the one leaving the country right now but our lives aren't to lived one overseas mission trip at a time.  Your LIFE is a mission trip.  Make the most of it.