We’ve all heard sentiments about the journey being as important as the destination, and after this recent trip to Africa, I’d have to agree.
The days leading up to our departure were unbelievably full. I mean, I’m always busy, but this was ridiculous. Not only did I need to make arrangements to be gone for almost a month, with the normal details of making sure the bill collectors were held at bay, the plants didn’t fry, and the mailbox didn’t become host to nests of spiders, but there was also the bed and breakfast to think about and some major tasks to see about for events I’d be involved with after Africa.
My head spun for days. I worked with Shana at TNT Sportswear to design t-shirts for HeavenFest. They’re really, really cute. Shana was patient with me as I asked for tweaking several times. I LOVE fellow perfectionists! Ha!
I also had to find liability insurance for that one day event—and whew, that’s expensive! Finally found a legitimate company in TX that didn’t expect me to sign away the rights to my lastborn child.
Then worked on tax numbers for the city of Longmont and state of Colorado. Several phone calls, emails, and web searches later, I’m in business. Of course, I still have to read up on nonprofit sales for the t-shirt portion of our venture, but had to have the tax ID for my books and CD’s. Check. (Oops, check—as in, that item is crossed off my list, not check—as in, we will accept checks. Cash only at this event. That is for sales, anyway. Donations can come in any form. Only no lastborn children, please. We have to draw the line. J)
I also worked on finding a legitimate company to make our banner for HeavenFest; decided to go with another local company, Dirt Cheap Banners in McPherson. Got that designed and ordered. It looks fantastic!
Between tasks for HeavenFest and packing for Africa and finding enough faithful family members and friends to run my life while I’m gone, I worked on items for the Greater Philly Christian Writer’s Conference. Needed to get info back to the director, Marlene, and book my flight. Done. Found out I get to room with my friend Hope again, with two of her daughters included. YIPPEE!!! Got my slumber party attitude ready to roll! J
Then learned that my friend Debbie was willing to drive me from Philly to Detroit so I can attend a wedding shower for my son Ben and his fiancé Amy! YIPPEE again! So many details were being orchestrated by the Lord, with the help of His precious handmaidens this side of glory! This was a huge answer to prayer! And it was something I had to know about before I could book the flight so I’d know when to plan my return trip.
To make things even better, I found out Ben can drive me to Virginia then to see my oldest daughter Sara, her hubby Danny, and my three grandchildren who live there. Sweet—such good things to look forward to after Africa!
And made final confirmation that my dearest Cody (Coleen Yocum) in Oklahoma City would entertain Anna while I’m in Philly/Detroit/Virginia! It helps so much to know Anna will be having a blast and be safe so I won’t have to worry about being gone. Another answer to prayer!
Meanwhile, arrangements for lodging in Africa were lagging behind. We didn’t know for sure we were going until two weeks before departure, so I had to finalize a lot last minute. One by one, we heard back from those willing to let us stay. One night in Pretoria with Jannike’s parents; nine nights at Emafini Conference Center in Mbabane, Swaziland; nine nights with missionary friends Orai and Linda Lehman in Xai Xai, Mozambique; then two nights at the Baptist Guest House in Johannesburg, South Africa. Check, check, check, and check. (Only no checks taken for most—had to figure out Rand, Emalagini, and Meticais and what they were each worth in dollars! Plus pounds for London for one day!)
Then there was the prayerful preparation. Partly for the finances to make the trip. We had the go ahead from our board to take the steps of faith to make the trip, but we were still running short having enough funds. So each day was filled with prayers, getting my head to agree with my heart, and striving to enter the Lord’s rest. I was so busy, it didn’t really give me too much time to worry, which is probably a good thing. But I kept tallying daily to see where we stood, even while we continued to plan and pack, trusting we’d sure enough board a plane out of Wichita when the day came for departure.
Then planning our ministry, particularly what I’d share from the Word and in song. Purchasing items for the children and pastor’s wives. Thinking ahead to what the school might need.
And double checking that Anna had plenty of supplies for the diabetes. Extra insulin, extra contraptions for her pump, plenty of snacks, letter from the doctor to take the food and juice in the cabin of the plane, etc.
Time was running out fast. My dear friend Dianne Martin from church came to go over the B & B stuff so she could stay with our group of six bridesmaids. Mama graciously planned all the food. Our son Nathan and his wife Diana took on the care of the house and yard and pool. Plus having our calls forwarded to Nate’s phone and handling booking the B & B. No small task for any of them!
And still I wasn’t ready! After two weeks worth of late nights and early mornings, I still had too much on my to-do list! Panic was creeping in until sweet Patty Kolarik, also from church, showed up early to give us a ride to the airport. She flew into action, washing the last of the dishes, sweeping everything in sight, running me to the bank to withdraw cash, and who knows what else! She might have even scrubbed a toilet or two, I’m not sure! She even dropped us off to check in, then flew to J.C. Penny’s at Town West to exchange a shirt for Tracy, then hurried back to the airport before we ran through security!
But we MADE it!
And as we buckled into our seatbelts and adjusted the air and lights, I breathed a sigh of relief and gratitude. As unprepared as I felt for the journey, in spite of my best efforts, I knew that not feeling ready was what made me most ready. He had shown me before we ever got out the door that it wasn’t about me, or about me and Tracy and Anna, or even about Grand Staff Ministries. It was about the Lord and His purposes. The One Who had given us this unction to go. Part of the good works He had prepared for us before the foundation of the world.
And He was empowering us to do them by sending partners also called before time began—called to help behind the scenes with the house and the ride and the giving and the prayers. Many of you.
It was another lesson in what it meant to walk in His Spirit every day, every step, so that even during the preparations, we were living as a team.
We often say He calls us to things that are bigger than us so He is the One Who gets the glory when something good happens. I was realizing I couldn’t even get ready to go without help—His and His people’s.
Yet in my weakness, He was already keeping His promise to be proven strong.
And with that, I was ready, after all. Let the journey begin!
By Becky Spencer, July 26, 2010
