United Airlines Flight 950 to Brussels

Four very busy, enlightening months to get to seat 26E -- the meetings, the preparation, both for myself and the group; the packing (grateful to Linda for exercising her gift of shopping, organizing, and space-efficient luggage management (not to mention her ability to manage our budget to make all the support purchases). All the this-and-that, almost to the point where God's call in this is taken for granted. The message shared by Bishop Humper back in May is dim, the conviction of Christ's call remains sound.

We're departing with six, down from the original nine--uncertainty, health, and family concerns convinced three that timing wasn't appropriate.

The preparation, volunteering to chair the Grants and Fundraising Committee for the CRC, sharing the "why" of my involvement with friends, St Stephen's members, Sunday School, and family has caused me to more deeply consider my faith's purpose, the nature of God's activity/participation in this world--and once again wrestling with what it means to have God "active" in my life (for wouldn't the underlying being-ness to all reality, by nature, be "active" in that reality?)--concepts that surface include 'discernment', 'calling', 'service', and 'prayer'.

Much to continue to learn. Right now I am thrilled to see various threads in my life intertwining between church, work, and family in particular.

Where am I going (besides "to Sierra Leone")? And what will I be there? It feels more and more real with every bump in the taxiway. Bit it will not be truly real until I am there (will it happen this time?) and can live the pain and hope with these children. My personal mantra that has evolved through this era of my faith walk: I am not doing this to be successful, I am doing this to be faithful....