Leaving on a jet plane

My bags are packed, I am completely immunized, and I am ready to embark on this journey to Africa. I found out that I will be living with a nurse, Mrs. Shezi, and her husband. They have two daughters who are 22 and 24 years old and go to the university. They also have two grandchildren who are 2 and 8 years old. I am really excited to get to know the family, and I am thankful that I will have the opportunity to live with some South Africans who are my own age.

My flight leaves at 10:50 am tomorrow (Thursday). Coincidentally, tomorrow is my 21st birthday. Flying to Africa is not quite the way that most people celebrate turning 21, but thanks to Carrie I will be eating Kahlua-filled chocolate on the plane. In case you were wondering, I will spend a total of 20 hours flying 9677 miles. I fly from Dallas to New York, New York to Senegal, Senegal to Johannesburg, and Johannesburg to Durban. If everything goes according to plan, I will be picked up by my coordinator at 8 pm on Friday. Hopefully I will be able to update again some time in the next week.

Thanks to all of you who have given me love, prayers, and encouragement over the last couple of weeks. And thanks to my Trinity friends (you know who you are) for the amazing care package full of chocolate.

Prayer requests:

• That my flight will go smoothly, with minimal stress. (As you could imagine, I am a bit nervous about flying almost 10,000 miles by myself.)
• That God would give comfort and peace to my parents.
• That I would completely rely on God's strength and power as I adjust to life in South Africa.
• That God's peace would fill my anxious heart, and that I may "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12:12).

I am so excited about the next two months, and I am so thankful to have so many friends and family in the States who are praying for me. I love you all, and I will see you in two months!