That's right, less than five months till I leave for Africa again. even though that's almost half a year away, it doesn't feel all that far away. I feel like I still have so much to do and to prepare for, and not to much time to do it.
For anyone not in the know I'm returning to Africa for a total of three months next year. I will be attending Overland Missions Advanced Missions Training course (AMT), and will be living on base in Zambia, Africa. The program runs through May, June and July.
To be honest at the end of my trip earlier this year I didn't want to leave Africa. I felt more comfortable there than I had in the states over the past few years, and I would have rather stayed. But I believe that the timing was and is for me to return in 2012, so that's what I'm doing.
I've been accepted for the program, and am currently working towards raising the $500 deposit to save my spot in the class. I've already raised a bit over $100, leaving around $350. After the deposit I begin on raising the money for the entire trip, which will run me around $11,000. That includes the cost of the program, flying round trip, and living there for three months. As well as not working here in the states. I know, it seems like a lot. To me its the most money I've ever had to believe for in my life. But I'm positive that I'm suppose to return to Africa next year, and am positive that God will provide, just like He did for my last trip in August.
So as of now I'm having to do something that I haven't really done before, which is sit down and meet with various couples and people individually and speak to them about my trip, whats on my heart, and ask for financial support. I've just begun this process, and it's been a bit interesting, simply because it's way outside of my comfort zone. So far though things have gone well, and I'm totally expecting a good response.
Money aside I honestly can not wait for this trip. For a while I felt as if I was sort of coasting, and not really "doing" anything with my life, or making any sort of headway. Now all of a sudden I have a clear goal, something that I feel strongly that I'm suppose to do, and it feels awesome. I know that I know that returning to Africa is the next step, just like the previous step was for me to go on the expedition that I went on in August. Sort of like stepping stones across a creek, I'm moving forward. I can't wait to see what God has for me next, both for the beginning of next year and AMT 2012, as well as after that, and into 2013.
