So...we're off!

These feet are ready!
(This one's for you Ann! Oh, and Mom thanks for my Ethiopia shoes!)

It's 8:01am on Friday in Addis Ababa. It's still Thursday as I write this. 9:02pm to be exact. It's crazy that it's finally here! This time tomorrow we'll be in Ethiopia or at least almost there. It's exciting, but I also don't know what to expect. Few really do, I think. Africa will be a first--even Europe will be a first! That is if you count our layover in Frankfurt really being in Europe. But I once had a friend who said if you've left your mark (ie, used the restroom) it counts.

I'm doing some last minute double checking of our suitcases before I shower and head off to bed. Joe's getting some "funds" and Benadryl so he can sleep on the plane. He's still toying with the idea of staying up all night and just sleeping on the plane.

Pray for us all as we go. It will be new, interesting, excited, sometimes scary, faith-building, stretching, and God--what else can you say? With Him you never really know what to expect. Just that it will be good.

I was reading this passage this morning and found it fitting as we're off to declare the Gospel:
It was revealed to them [the prophets] that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things [the Gospel, Christ crucified] which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which angels long to look.
1 Peter 1:12

We are not doing this to serve ourselves, but the Lord and the people He is sending us to. May we remember that and be humbled.

Here's one last thing to leave you with...this thingy is called a Proclaimer. It's pretty neat. If I remember correctly this passage is John 1. (Please excuse the poor video quality.)