"Have I not commanded you? Be strong & courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
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When
I open my laptop, the first thing I see are their faces...
Alice
grinning from ear to ear. Dossou positioning our dog, Bop, for the picture.
Jeanine peeking around the corner with her sweet smile. Eric in the center,
stealing the show.
When
I open my laptop, I also see fingerprints and debris all over the screen. I am
not too great about keeping my screen clean and honestly, I love having all my
Africa memories plastered on the screen, literally.
But
their picture is not just on my laptop and their fingerprints are not just on
my laptop screen. They are in my heart. I am honestly wrapped around their precious little black
fingers.
I
try not to live my life only thinking about them. I think about them often and
life there often, but life here often interferes with my thoughts. I am busy at
work. I am busy at home. I am busy with life. But the moments like now, when
I’m sitting at the airport waiting to board the plane to get there…they are all that occupy my heart and my thoughts.
The
past week has been crazy. Over 30 family members were in town for a party that
we had Saturday for my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary and my
grandma’s 90th birthday. It was nuts and fun and stressful and
lovely all at the same time. Immediately after everyone left, it was time to
pack and get ready for Benin. (My least favorite part, ever.) And right now I
am just tired, honestly. I want to sleep and I’m thankful I can snooze away on
the long flights.
But
my heart is already leaping thinking about exiting the plane and walking down
the stairs into the muggy Cotonou air. My heart is leaping thinking of the
moment when I finally walk out of the airport and I spot Jon’s head above
the crowd and Ashley’s sweet little self bouncing up and down. My heart is
leaping just imagining wrapping the kids in my arms on Wednesday morning and
introducing them to Claire and Courtney and having them wrap their arms around
them. My heart is about to burst. And until last year, I never knew what that
meant. But now, now I do! And these are honestly the moments I live for.
I
am thankful for this opportunity, as always. I am grateful that the Lord
has chosen me to minister to and love these amazing people and children. May He
always be glorified through my life.
Please
pray for myself, Claire and Courtney as we travel to Benin and our time there.
Please pray for on time flights and an easy 30+ hours of traveling.
It’s
going to be fun, that’s a guarantee. But I am praying that this time will
change and impact their lives just like my first time at Arbre de Vie changed
and impacted my life. I am praying that I will be changed and challenged.
Your
love and support mean so much to me! To all of us.
Keep
checking the blog regularly, will try to update often.
Take every chance & drop every fear,
-tats
