The Final Countdown

Months have passed into weeks - weeks into days - and days have passed to mere hours before I leave for Tanzania. Tomorrow is the day! Currently I'm in a state to match the weather outside our dining room windows: Hazy, dazed, and every few minutes a distant boom of thunder signaling "You're going to Africa in less than 24 hours and you haven't even packed yet." That part jolts me into motion - for a few minutes any way. Surrounding my bed on the floor in my room are piles of skirts and printed crew necks, snack foods including a jar of peanut butter and box of lemon drops, and six or seven of  my favorite children's books. A trail leads out of my room onto the kitchen table where important papers and almost all of my notes are strewn on each of the four corners. I'm a mess!

I'm an exhausted, disorganized, shocked, and distracted mess.

An excited, giggly, frantic, ready-but-unprepared mess.

With a capital M for good measure.

This last week before I leave has given me only a glimpse of what my job will look like once I reach Rafiki - I know that I will be working with children, that most of the permanent missionaries will be returning to the States for their annual leave, and that I've been asked to chaperon a Safari (like a trip to the zoo, but bigger and better - and I could get eaten!). There is no telling what will come my way in the next month, but when I get back you can all expect plenty of pictures and stories. 

Thank you so much for your prayers! Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey. It's almost a year to date that I felt God calling me to travel to Rafiki - almost a year to date that I poured out my heart in prayer for my parents blessings, and God's hand. Look where we are? Your support, your friendship and prayers, have brought me to this place. To anyone on the outside looking in, this place might not seem ideal - it's hectic, uncertain, and inconvenient. But let me assure you, from the inside looking out, this is exactly where I want to be.

I'm in the center of our Father's hand - what could be more right?

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face to shine upon you. 

Until June then, 

Bekah S.