So this is what it means to trust...

The trip was indeed epic. Epic fail (depending on your perspective).

I made it to the Johnsons late Friday evening, we finished packing and weighing the luggage, and early on Saturday morning we set out for Miami (a roughly four hour trip, give or take time for bathroom stops and a lunch break).

We made it to the Miami international airport, unloaded our 25+ bags and proceeded to check-in with little to no hiccups.

Then the news came. "They won't let us through."

To make a long story oh-so-much shorter, we lacked sufficient paperwork to be able to make it through customs once we arrived in London (entering Burundi would be no problem, go figure!).

So with heavy hearts, and tired kids we loaded up the parcels and headed back to Lakeland.

Lots of disappointment, questions and frustrations swirled. But through the midst of the confusion there came a peace as we chose to trust that God's sovereign hand was orchestrating these events perfectly. Exercising our faith, trusting in Him. This sudden turn of events does not equate to failure, quite the contrary. God is in control (shortly after returning home, we heard that there were three grenade attacks in the capitol...due to the current elections, minor upsets could ignite violence).

We may still head over to Burundi in the next week or so. Please be praying that the necessary paperwork will come through and we're able to obtain flights. Once again, there are so many variables to work through...but only one step at a time as He leads.

Ready to go!

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, the Johnson family and I will set out from Lakeland for Miami...catch our flight to London...London to Nairobi, Kenya...AND then finally to Bujumbura, Burundi.

30+ hours of travel. Three adults. Seven kids (did I mention two are toddlers?). Three people with colds (yep, that includes me too).

We'll be quite the sight, wearing you-can't-miss-us red shirts.

This trek is going to EPIC. I can just feel it.

Even JUST the journey of getting to this point has been nothing short of epic. Watching all the pieces come together (that I originally thought were close to impossible to surmount - oh me of little faith!) has left me in awe of my Lord in a new way. He leaves me breathless, with only one thing on my mind and heart: God is so good.

Without a doubt, I'm going to let God be my travel agent for life.

I'm going to AFRICA, people. Wowzers.

P.S. Confession: I still have to finish packing after I get home from work...but! I'm ALMOST about ready to go. *sigh* 'Tis the story of my life. lol