1/4000 second

1/4000 of a second. That's how long it takes my camera to capture an image. In 1/4000 second I can create a lasting memory, a piece of art, or an embarrasingly funny snapshot of a friend. People always say that good things take time, but according to the great philosopher Miley Cyrus and the shutter speed of my camera, really great things happen in the blink of an eye. Miley and I are on the same page for this one.

Part of my internship year at SOS has always included me heading out on a mission trip, but the five dubs(who, what, when, where, and why) were kinda left up to me. I had a few options in mind, but then I ran into some issues that are kinda a big deal:
1. At SOS, our busiest seasons are spring break and summer...the two main time frames for organized trips
2. Planes are EXPENSIVE and I hadn't raised enough support to pay for all that
3. I had nowhere to actually go!

So...I started praying about it. As I was writing my update letter to send out to people who were already supporting me financially and as prayer partners, I just began to ask God to move because I for sure could not figure all of this out on my own. This past year I've been praying about what God will have me study in college(when I finally get there) and He has been massively growing my heart for the orphan crisis especially in Africa and China. Because of that, I really had these continents on my heart for my trip, but it just seemed so impossible. I wasn't all too confident I would actually get to go anywhere at all, and worry and discouragement were starting to set it. Little did I know, God just wanted to blow my mind! Before I even sent out my letter, Philip(the executive director of SOS) told me the month of February was up for grabs for my trip, I had a 3,000 check in hand, and my mom mentioned that one of her closest friends was open to me helping her in Zambia. Oh hey, no mo problems.

My mom's friend, Janet Brown, lived in Zambia, and recently moved back to the states for a few months to get married and settle in with her husband before trying to move back to Africa. She worked in Lusaka, Zambia and is traveling over again to help unload a container there and help set up a new missionary. I will be leaving this Thursday alone "on a jet plane" headed to Chicago, then London, then finally Lusaka!! Janet has already told me that as soon as I land she will pick me up and I'll be headed with her to the southern province to hang out with about 300 kids for a while!! I cannot begin to explain how excited I am to just see these precious lil ones! Man, I can't even think about it without wanting to just take off right now! I'm not sure what else my trip will hold, but I do know God will open my eyes up to all kinds of things. Maybe I just won't come back :)....just kidding for now Mom and Dad. My flight is scheduled to be back in the states Wednesday February 23rd. I would looove for prayers for safe travel and that my body would adjust quickly to the time change. I will keep this blog updated somewhat while I'm gone, and I'll post all kinds of pictures and stories detailing my trip when I get back to the states. Haha I love to say "back to the states!" Thursday can't come soon enough!!

I may have been able to pull off a trip that was "good" in my timing if I had spent all year putting it together, but God does great things in His timing. This incredible trip that is going to change my life just landed in my lap in about the time it takes my camera shutter to close...the blink of an eye.

Two thumbs up for Africa, London, and a GREAT BIG GOD!