THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE LETTER FROM GOD

THE GOOD:
We are now just 18 DAYS from our departure date for Ethiopia. Some amazing things have been happening that remind me that God is in this process and that we are loved.

• Our amazing pediatrician has spent hours preparing lists of possible infections, illnesses, symptoms and their treatments along with donating lots of drugs, supplies for Steve to handle simple remedies, and prescriptions for many drugs we may need in Africa...THANKS!
• We have strong leads for two wonderful people to work in our home in Mekelle, as well as 3 or 4 homes to look at on our arrival from which to choose.
• Tons of veterinary surgical tools, instruments, and medicines have been donated and received in the last month to take with us to Mekelle.
• Our non-profit adoption agency, Fields of Promise, was given the green light for licensure in the State of Kansas and this will be finalized in the next week...more on this later in the year.

THE BAD:

These are the details that overwhelm and bog us down. Things that have to be completed before we leave, or that cause fear in our hearts as we ponder them.

• We have 8 Actionpacker Rubbermaid containers full of supplies and weighed to be just under 70 pounds ready to go, but a room full of stuff to cram into the remaining 4 containers before we start paying EXCESS BAGGAGE fees...our estimate right now is at least 3 extra, but we won't know for sure until we're done packing.
• Every day we say, "are we done buying stuff now? Yes, I think so" only to return from Target or Walgreens the next day with a handful of vitamins or another few bottles of children's tylenol (no, even at the hospital, we cannot get good American medicines either prescription kind or the over-the-counter kind).
• Because of the children, we want to be extra cautious with prevention and medicines we take with us...which means literally hundreds of dollars worth of Malaria meds for the whole family, preventive prescription medicines for all "just in case", and a year's worth of the girls' asthma/allergy meds.
• Somalia to the right of us is falling apart, Sudan to the left of us is a mess, Eritrea to the north won't cooperate with border dispute talks, and Kenya to the south is facing the worst drought in a very long time...feels scary at times.
• Did I mention that large RATS are a problem in houses, but that Cats (of which 3 of us are very allergic) are a good solution?
• We are in the throws of revising our will, developing a child trust, appinting power of attorneys, and going over our 2006 estimated taxes with a CPA which have to be paid by April of 2007 by a representative here in the U.S...lots of overwhelming details.
• A typical scenario: Pharmacist, "this prescription of steroids needs to be kept refrigerated." "I can't do that, we are flying overseas for 24 hours and then transporting our luggage on a 15 hour drive in Africa." (pharmacist) "Can you carry a small cooler on the plane and with you at all times?" (me) "I might be able to, but I am unwilling, is there another way?" (pharmacist) "The generic brand doesnt require refrigeration, do you want me to call the doctor and ask permission to fill the generic?" "Oh yes....pleeeeeeze!"

THE LETTER FROM GOD:

The good things give cause for rejoicing, while the bad things sometimes seem to outweigh the good and lead to me feeling tired, anxious, overwhelmed, or even fearful for our family's safety. This morning, during some prayer time, I stumbled upon Psalm 91 in The Message, which brough me instantly to tears...here was God's letter to me and our family, sovereignly written years ago for our benefit:

You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, say this: "God, you're my refuge. I trust in You and I'm safe!" That's right - he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you - under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing - not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses. Yes, because God's your refuge, the High God your very home, evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door. He ordered His angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path. "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!" (Psalm 91)

Can you see why it made me cry? It was God's word to us for this season in life, and I am clinging to it. (Personally, I would rather not SEE the lions and snakes in my path necessitating my "kicking them from the path", but I'm willing to trust God on that one too!) Thanks God, for being the God who can handle my fears and supply me with faith as we forge ahead.