Friday, December 31, 2010

Kenya or Bust...



Well, this is a quick update on the Kenya Trip that my son #2 Jonny is on. He left this past Sunday amidst much trepidation and frustration that they might not make the flight because of all the snow. He and another team member Amanda, DID make that flight and in time to catch the second one out of Atlanta to Paris.

Here is a pic I "borrowed" from Al, the head man of this team, who came to the airport to help fight and get them on a flight because their original was cancelled.

Thanks Al!!! (Hope he doesn't mind - found it on a twitter link) Now if any of you want to know, Jonny said he bought this hat to wear, so that everybody would be able to see him. He is tall anyway, and going through some BIG airports, he was intentional on being seen.

At this point, I have only had communication via a couple of Facebook posts I came across. Jonny and Amanda and a couple on a different flight made it to Paris and then on to Kenya. I finally got this confirmed yesterday. (Not good phone service out there in Africa.)


HOWEVER... the rest of the 11 member team, including Al the head man, (on a different flight out of Charlotte later Sunday evening) did NOT make their connecting flight because the Charlotte flight was late leaving, and they got rerouted to Rome, Italy, and have been sitting there since SUNDAY!!!! Oh my what downhearted team members...wanting to be in Africa so badly.

I got a brief message yesterday from a gal in Italy (FB) that Jonny and the other 3 were carrying on and doing the best they could without the entire team, and sounded like they were great.The others were set to fly out today but still it will be about an 8 hour flight. What a kink in their vision for this mission trip. AND YET...I know that God has all things under HIS control and plans. Don't know why sometimes, but trust that HE is choreographing the best dance ever for the Kenya team-members, the Charlotte mission team, the 100 children so looking forward to this camp...and all others that this will ripple out to.



Who can understand the mind of God and all the epic and incomprehensible GOOD that only HE can bring out of circumstances that seem bad??? ...but....not really.

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you...” Jeremiah 29: 11-14


I am so glad that Jonny could go on this trip. He was so excited and pumped to be a part of this camp. He has such a heart to serve God...and loves young people. I know he is just incredibly blessed where he is right now. Trusting that God is working in him and on him continuing to move him down the path into his career and calling to be a man of God whatever he does.

Love that young man!!! Love all four of my most valuable treasures!!! What blessings God bestows when he allows us the privilege and pleasure (and pains) of raising them. WE ARE THE ONES who grow and benefit immensely from this charge.


And so I enter another post in my e-journal. If you would like, say a little prayer today for this team and all the lives they will be reaching out and touching. ..Pray for their safety. Pray for their ministry to the children. Pray for God to be honored and pleased with the Gospel message they are attempting to LIVE out loud and share with others whose lives will be eternally changed should they accept the Truth.

Can't wait to get this young man back home, but wouldn't take the experience away from him for the world.... He will be touched and changed from his visit to a 3rd World Country. Very few can escape the enlightenment of such a trip. (His Marine bro knows....)




UPDATE:!!! Since I wrote this on Thursday, I got a phone call from Jonny. All is well. The rest of the team will arrive this morning. (there is a time difference of 8 hours between here and there. They are ahead, same as Justin was in Afghanistan.) Jonny says it is beautiful over there, and he can even see Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance, it is so clear... They are enjoying the Camp and the kids so much. It was so good to talk to him!

Hugs to all of my wonderful wonderful Bloggy sisters. Thanks for popping over to visit today in my little corner of the world.It is the last post for 2010. Happy New Year! Anticipating the delightful visits with all of you in 2011. xo

7 comments:

Rebecca said...

I can't wait to hear about the trip. My mom supports a girl from Kenya thru Compassion International and she got me interested in doing it for a girl in Ghana. I sometimes wonder how my life would change if I went. I've heard many missionaries speak-can't wait to hear his thoughts-you should be proud!

billypandnikkysmom said...

Wow, what a trip! I can't wait to hear all about it, I will keep him in my prayers! Hope that you have a nice New Year's Eve ~ 2011 is going to be a good year!!

Hugs & love to you my Marine Mom Sis!!

Theresa said...

What a proud moment to see your young Son doing something so important! What a memory in the making! I am happy all is well with the team and I can't wait to see pictures and hear the stories from his trip!

I'll be praying here for them there! God is the Master Planner! HUGS

Sandy said...

Praying sweet Jonny will have an enriching
life-changing adventure with the Lord and
those dear kids there.
Happy New Year, Julie!! I am honored to have
"met" you here in blogville! Wishing you God's
best in 2011.
Love,
Sandy

Anonymous said...

What an adventure for your son! You must be so proud of him!
Thanks so much for your visit and your sweet comment! I sure do appreciate it!
Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!
~ Jo :)

Julie Harward said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip for him. Happy New Year Julie, may it be your beat year ever! :D

Lili said...

Oh Julie I am so glad I popped over here tonight to read of your son's calling to Africa. May God Bless him for the work he will be undertaking. It also did my heart good to see you quote Romans 8:28, my dear late father's favorite Bible verse. It instantly put a smile on my face tonight on this last day of 2011. New Year Blessings to you dear Julie. Hugs, ~Lili