Africa On The horizon

I’m getting closer to leaving for my trip to Africa. I’m going with a group of people from my church. We’ll be going to help out a home that houses several children and runs a Christian school. I’m starting to get more and more things ready for it. I’ve got my vaccines taken care of. Need to purchase a few other items but all in all pretty close to being ready to go. In the midst of getting the vaccine and talking about the trip I realized I left out one major part and that was preparing myself mentally and spiritually for the trip.

There aren’t very many concerns I have about the trip in general. But one thing I am starting to prepare for and praying about is preaching in Africa. It’s obviously going to be a little different because there’s going to be a translator there alongside me. So I know I’ll have to slow my Pace down and read very carefully. As long as I can get my sermon down and know the material to the best of my abilities I should be good.

The other thing I’m needing to prepare for more is leaving my family for 3 weeks. I’ve tried to play it off like it’s not that big of a deal, probably my prideful arrogance, but it is a big deal. I know that my family will be fine, we have a big group of people who love us and will take care of them. We’re extremely blessed to have that. But there is still the aspect of not being there for them that weighs on me. I know that I’ll need to be in prayer a lot more these next few weeks, more than I ever have been. Doubts and fears are sure to rise up in preparation and during the trip but I know with fervent prayer from all of us involved God will see us through it.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

I take heart with this verse in particular. Especially in this stage of my life. The ESV says “don’t be anxious for anything” instead of “ be careful for nothing”.

Anxiousness is a present reality for me at this time. It’s there and around every aspect of this trip. But when I do pray for something specific I get a sense of peace afterwards.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Through Christ is how that peace comes to us. Not through any mortal means or something a motivational speaker said but through Christ. The same Christ that gave his life for me. For every born again believer. That Christ keeps our hearts and minds at peace when we give it all to Him.

So as I end this short article I’d like to ask you reading this for your prayers as well. Pray for courage for the group going and the sharing of the gospel. Pray for my family in my absence and pray that God will be glorified through our time in this foreign land.