We're Really Going to Africa

"How Exciting!"

This is the first and most standard response whenever I tell people about our trip.  It IS incredibly exciting, and I think that for Fred this pretty much sums it up.

Fred currently builds churches, and men's and women's shelters and has imagined himself building needed buildings in Africa for a few years now.  For him, this trip is an answered prayer.

For me, exciting is about half of it.  Terrifying sums up the other half. For as much as we travel, I have to admit, I don't really enjoy traveling; I enjoy arriving. The packing, the early morning drive to the airport, the security lines, the small airline seats, etc make for a long and difficult day.  Traveling to Africa will make for several long and difficult days. I have nightmares of being over the middle of the ocean and saying, "Well, I've had just about enough of this!" 

For years now, while Fred has been praying about using his gifts in Africa, I have to admit that Africa had never entered my mind as a trip for me. Another deep dark secret: I have never, even once, even back in study hall in junior high in Ohio, ever thought about joining the Peace Corps.

When our kids were young and in Indian Guides, my Indian name was "Sleeps in an RV."

When we go to amusement parks, I hold the coats.

In short, I am not all that adventurous.

So please bear with me as I repeatedly tell myself, "I am going to Africa."

I am taking all the steps needed to go.

I have had my shots. I am mulling over what to buy, what to pack.  How much DEET can I fit into a suitcase? Can I find DEET hairspray? How cute would I look in protective netting clothing? All these things to worry about, to wonder over, to fret.

But then I think of all the exciting things to look forward to-another continent, half a world away.  Different people, different cultures, different foods. The pictures of Swaziland are like nothing I've ever expected when thinking of Africa-lush, rolling green hills, forests, streams.

To the north, every type of wild animal I have expected in Africa is a mere two hours away-rhinos, lions, leopards, hyenas, monkeys.

We're flying into Capetown-botanical gardens, Table Mountain, shark cage swimming (for someone else!), whales, wineries, penguins. How can so many amazing things be in one place?

We are going to Africa!

I don't feel ready; I don't feel prepared.  I don't know what to expect.

I am trying to squash my worry tendencies.

I am trying to let go.

I am letting go.

I am stepping out in faith.

I am going to Africa.

Jeri