Travels

Travels

Well, I'm here in Africa! But before I go into all the details about life here, we need to cover God's faithfulness during travel from the US. 

No doubt my biggest fear and greatest prayer was safety and friendship during travel. With over a 40 hour journey consisting of long layovers in unfamiliar countries combined with me never having traveled alone outside the US, anxiety was never far behind me even thinking about it. I prayed for guidance and making friends every step of the way. 

The morning I was to depart, I cracked open Jesus Calling to June 10th, expectant for a word. I was amazed at, yet completely expecting the text to contain themes of letting God handle the day's details, not anxiously anticipating the future, resting in God, praying, trusting God in the journey, and remembering his presence. That was just what I needed to be filled with at that time. 

After I was dropped off at O'Hare and entered the line to check in, I felt anxiety creep in. I needed to intentionally remember that I was not alone. After I got through security and was waiting at my gate, I struck up a conversation was a lovely African American woman from Chicago sitting behind me. Turns out she was the associate director for a Christian organization/orphanage in Uganda. We talked for quite a while as we waited to board. This was both our first time flying alone and I was filled with such peace talking to her; I certainly did not feel alone.

After boarding, we were only a few rows away from each other. The two ladies sitting next to me again made me feel calm and comfortable. The one girl, from Germany, was quick to smile, looked just like my high school friend from way back, and was also her first time flying alone. 

The other lady, from Turkey, was incredible kind and generous. She's the kind of person who bursts at the seam with joy. She asked me questions and shared gum with us. 

As I was explaining to these two ladies that this was my first time flying alone with the exception of flying from Nashville to Minneapolis, the girl in front of  me whipped around and asked if I was from Nashville. I found out that she was, and that she started two schools in Uganda and that Katie Davis, author of Kisses From Katie, was basically her hero (I read the book a month earlier). 

Not only that, but we had almost an identical 11 hour layover in London. After we landed In London at around 10am, she invited me to spend the day with 2 of her friends. 

The day was incredible. While i was originally planning to figure out London alone, I instead got to make friends with 3 strong Christians. The one friend, originally from Malaysia, was incredibly generous; he literally paid for everything, from the subway tickets, to lunch, to mochas and teas, offered a place to stay if/when I would find myself in London again, and refused any sort of reimbursement from us. I was humbled by his kindness. 

As we sat down and prayed for our lunch that day, I was nearly brought to tears at God's kindness in providing me with Christian friends to show me the way and take care of me. Only God could orchestrate such a plan! 

After we said our goodbyes, we parted ways. Like any good sinner, I instinctively forgot God's goodness and allowed anxiety and fear of being alone cloud over me. I felt the rush of arriving to the airport late and trying to find my gate in the largest international airport in the world. When I did find my gate, I prayed again for calm and connections as golden sunset light poured through the large airport windows. 

I looked up and saw an African man sitting across from me. I asked, 'Is South Africa your final destination?' He said he was on his way to his hometown of Lusaka, Zambia for his cousin's wedding but worked as an electrical engineer from San Francisco.  He was excited for my ministry opportunity in Zambia and gave me not only his contact info but also that of a Zambian pastor who he said I needed to meet. I was honest about my fears and insecurities, but he reassured me. 

As we stood in line, a French lady started talking to me. At age 65 (at least), she has traveled alone since age 22 to dozens of countries, including places in Africa and India. She had such zest for life, and I told her I wanted to be like her. 

After we boarded the plane, I sat next to 2 sisters originally from Canada but were visiting the Christian ministry their parents started in Zimbabwe. 

After we talked, a flight attendant told me that since the plane was quite empty (a rare event! The South African man behind me said that never happens) I could choose an empty row. After saying goodbye to the girls, I found 4 empty seats, laid down, and got a decent nights sleep from 9pm to 9am.  

After I exited the plane, got through security, and sat down at the gate for the flight to Zambia,

I shared some chips with a guy who had been traveling the world for the past 16 months. Originally from England but whose mom lived in Cape Town, he had been pursuing masters in nutrition and sports training but decided to momentarily take a break and see the world. He looked like the younger brother from the band needtobreathe.  

When I got on the plane to Zambia, I met a girl on her way to do medical missions. After the flight, I got to talk with the whole team. One guy even knew how to do the Charleston swing dance move aka mashed potato. Day made. 

As I think back on all the ways God provided during only 40 hours of travel, I can only imagine how God will move during the next two months.