October Trip

We now have our visa and our airline tickets for our trip in October. I am looking forward to it, but I'm also a little nervous about it too, for several reasons.

Travelling abroad is always a little daunting, especially when you don't have a good handle on the language (or any handle for that matter). I just read how to say hello in Czech last night and I don't even remember it this morning! This is not good. Also, we are very unfamiliar with the culture in Eastern Asia, even though I have been doing some reading which has helped. I now know how to say "cat" and "dog" in that language, if that helps any. At least I'll recognize dog on the menu or in the market - or maybe not since I don't know the character for it!

Also, we will be away from our boys for sixteen days. AAAAAGGGHH! I will be the first to admit that a temporary break has been desired on more than one occasion. But...being away from each other for nine days in July was about all we could take. So this separation will be difficult, especially since we will be so far away. There's no driving a few hours in case of an emergency, which with Gavin is more likely than most children because of his food allergies. Obviously I'll have to keep leaving that one in God's hands! I bought some children's cards the other day and I'm hoping to get them mailed here and there so the boys get mail from us. And for those who wonder why we're not taking the boys, well, try it sometime. Jet lag nightmares, anyone? Beyond that, part of our trip will be spent checking out the medical treatment available. If Gavin has an anaphylactic reaction, we need to get him to a proficient hospital in less than 30 min. This is how long two Epi-pens will last. It doesn't make much sense to take him somewhere when we aren't completely sure about that matter yet.

I'm also a little concerned about what I might "get to" eat. I am willing to try new things, but it helps if I don't know ahead of time what little creature I may be eating. I just hope I don't have to see it slithering, hopping, anythinging before I eat it. That's why I would be a terrible hunter. The picture of it running, jumping, etc. before I shot it would haunt my every bite. I don't even like to hear how my parents shot the deer before I eat. Ignorance really is bliss.

On the other hand, I am looking forward to getting to know the team members in both countries better and seeing the culture. A book can help, but there is nothing like experiencing it first hand. The family in Czech is in language school during the day, so he is hoping to have a national take us around the area during the day. Jason may also get the opportunity to hold a youth worker's seminar while we are there. Eating new foods can be a challenge, but it can also be a neat experience. Hey, it's not every day you can eat a scorpion on a stick! Yes, they do.

Jason and I love to travel (who doesn't?), though our finances and our two blessings don't permit it very often. We still try to go somewhere for a day once in a while, but with church, home, and family responsibilities it can be a challenge to find an open day! Between us we've been in 13 different countries (some as singles and some together). That is something I am very grateful for. Not everyone gets that opportunity. So, although our trip has a much higher purpose than just sight-seeing, it will still be a blessing to see two more countries.

We are truly seeking direction as we go. This is not a which is easier, which is more convenient decision. We want want His best for our lives - no matter whether it is the nicer option or not. Even the fact that we are visiting Asia is a "miracle" in and of itself because it was not an area we were really considering before or during our schooling. The needs are great in both areas and workers are needed. The fields truly are white, although the harvest is not always an easy process.

We covet your thoughts during the next few weeks as we prepare and as we go.