Preparing for Lift Off

The time is swiftly approaching.  After years of prayer and months of preparation, we are eager to begin our year in Zambia.  We will be lifting off from our Sweet Home Chicago at 10pm on Tuesday, September 25.

At the moment, there is nothing terribly captivating to share.  We have been busy finishing work, packing up (and packing out) our belongings, purchasing vital medical supplies and peanut butter cups, acquiring international driver’s licenses, and making arrangements for international banking, just to name a few things.  Thanks to Rachel’s formidable multitasking capabilities, we are nearly there.

Before we go, we would like to thank all of you - at home and abroad - who have helped us get this far.  You have contributed generously of your financial resources, driven hours to deliver legal documents, given of your time and talents to help us with fundraising events and technical details, and encouraged us with your kind words and powerful prayers.  We are deeply indebted to good friends and to strangers alike for your many kind gifts.  As we board that plane in less than a week, we will be thinking about the tremendous network of support that God wove together to get us there.  As we learn and serve in Samfya, we will be encouraged to know that it is not only the two of us taking this journey, but a host of friends and family.

With that in mind, we will be updating this blog as often as possible.  We will try to keep you all informed of our progress as we travel, and in the months to come we will relate our stories through words and photographs.  Furthermore, we are excited to have you experience this new world along with us.  We intend to share with you as we are being taught, to challenge you as we are being challenged.  Any questions you have, please do not hesitate to ask.  We look forward to having a conversation with all of you through our blog.  We’re not sure exactly where this year will take us, but we’ve got one thing figured out: Z marks the spot.