So, he is Haiti-bound! It's been a whirlwind week making sure he is ready for his trip. Josh got all his shots this week and has been on malaria medication for two weeks already - prepping his body like he was playing a game of "worst case scenario". We've actually had two friends contract malaria on mission trips before - both of which prayed for death because of the extreme pain and agony it brought them...thankfully, by the grace of God, both friends were spared and healed, but it definitely makes you think twice as you see your husband down the giant pill that will hopefully protect him from coming home with a story like that (or being airlifted home as one of our friends had to be!) Yikes. This is serious stuff, folks! It is just amazing to me that it is so easy for us to go to the doctor and take the meds ahead of time, while diseases like malaria continue to ravage countries worldwide.
Josh will be bringing one ginormous army-surplus-bag full of baby clothes to Haiti. The clothes are nearly new, generously donated from some neighbors of ours who don't need them any more. It was fun to pack them, weeding out the unnecessary winter clothes, and imagining some sweet girl holding up a pink dress with a kitty on it and smiling...at least, I hope that will be her response! As we packed each little item into the pack, I just kept imagining the little Haitian children receiving them and wearing them. I wish I could be there to see their faces. I wish I could be there to hug on them and tell them they are beautiful. But, I'll have to pass on my sentiments through Josh, and I'm so excited for that too.
We have been in prayer a lot this week, specifically for this trip and what it will mean. I know that Josh will come home with too many stories to count. I already can't wait to see the pictures he returns with, each one holding their own story and meaning that he'll tell me all about. And, how will our prayers change after he returns? After he's seen the devastation, after he knows the very names of the children who need help, after he's held a child's hand that may have never been held before...
I'm full of questions and anticipation as Josh takes this leap across the globe. I am hoping to skype with him while he is there - depending on the timing and the internet connection! I would love to be "present" with him there, if even for a moment. Plus, it would be nice for Matilda to hear daddy's voice while he's away.
Speaking of which, Matilda and I will be taking our own little journey. We are hopping on a plane on Sunday - again, having to get up at 4am...what's with these early flights??? - and heading to Kansas! We are going to go stay with my parents and see my sister and her family in Kansas for a few days while Josh is away. It will be wonderful to be there...it's just the getting there that I'm a little apprehensive about! I've never flown with Matilda by myself, and I'm a little wary of the logistics of everyday things like naps, nursing, and dirty diapers aboard a plane with her all by myself. It will be tricky to say the least! Luckily, I'm traveling home, so if I forget anything my mom and sister will be there to borrow from as soon as we land.
All this to say, folks - your prayers are appreciated!
Please pray for safe journeys for our whole family! Please pray that God protects The Oak Project team and uses them in tremendous ways to impact the orphanage while they are there! Please pray that Matilda doesn't try to climb whoever we sit next to on the plane like a baby koala bear!
God is good. I'm so excited to see what He has in store for us this next week! Thank you for all your support and prayers!
(It will probably be a couple weeks before I can truly get out a reasonable update after our journeys - but feel free to follow my tweets to keep up!)
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