I've Packed the Essentials...

I spent a good deal of time this past week getting things ready for Africa.  This "Engage with Africa" Pastors Trip begins on Tuesday @ 2:48pm.  I'll check a two bags (max 50 lbs each) in Columbus that will go all the way to Bangui (Lord willing!).

One bag will be a trunk full of flashlights, letters, and gifts for friends in Africa.  Friends of missionaries and also missionaries. 

The other bag, I suppose, is the "Gary bag" of my clothes, some food, and anything else I'll need while I'm in the Central African Republic.

I've had all the shots I need, including Yellow Fever, Hepatitus A & B, Polio, Tetanus, Meningitis, and probably a couple other that I'm forgetting now.  I've got malaria medication (which may or may not prevent it...), stomach medication (strongly recommended Imodium and Pepto Bismol, along with some pro-biotics that the lady at Whole Foods said would help my intestines). 

Tomorrow morning, I still need to pick up some sunscreen.  I hear that, when you're staying near the Equator, the heat and sun tend to be a little stronger.  I get a week to test that "theory" out, and should be prepared.

I also need to find some strong mosquito repellent, preferably in wipes.  I don't like mosquitos, and they don't like me. 

Tomorrow (Monday), we'll put the finishing touches on packing and preparing personally and ministry-wise to be gone for ten days. 

Today, however, I was given some tremendous gifts to take with me to Africa.

This morning, our church family prayed for me and the end of each worship service.  Our Elders came forward to pray, along with Jennie and my parents and Dave Pacheco, our youth pastor.  It was a powerful and emotional moment for us. 

This afternoon, we got to celebrate my mom's birthday at home and have lunch and dessert.  Mom and Dad also asked lots of questions about the trip and are excited and praying for me.

Tonight, we spent more than an hour with five special couples from our neighborhood home group.  We prayed, we laughed, we cried... and they deeply encouraged me and Jennie on this Africa adventure we are about to begin.

At the end of the day, my heart feels extremely well-prepared for Africa.  This has nothing to do with the packed bags, the immunization shots, or the final shopping list for tomorrow.

Rather, it has all to do with the excitement, thrill, and encouragement of doing life with an open-hearted community of believers in Jesus Christ.  Our church, our friends, and our family... we are truly blessed.

And, as we began the entire morning with that wonderful song, we must always begin AND end by giving God the glory.

"Not to us.... but to Your Name!"