Cristy in Africa-Day 4 by Jason

Well, it is now 9:40 and I have finally gotten everyone calmed down and in the bed. Today was a good day. Got up early, went to store and picked up some milk and cereal for the boys. Ben got the boys up and going around 9:00. The Dinn's picked up Nathan and Luke to spend the day at there home. Becky Garner picked up Caleb and Jacob and were off to the water park. Ben came to the church for the MS Serve Day. I am so proud of that boy! He is really growing up to be a fine young man. So mature to be 14. Sure, sometimes I wonder about him, but overall the boy gets the job done and really does it well. I picked Ben up some Chick-fil-a w/ a Chocolate Milkshake to surprise him because he has been such a help since Cristy has been gone. Then, I took the van to have tires put on and oil changed and got a burger at The Collegiate "WOW, what a hamburger" All by myself I sat there and all I could think about was Cristy. I have never since we have been married been cut off from communication from her like this. It is driving me crazy!! I just wish I could hear her voice for just 1 minute. I guess it just really sank in while I was sitting there by myself. Well, I got up, got over it and walked back over to Harrison Tire and got my van and headed back to the BUSY office. Lots of work to do. 42 people gave there lives to Christ yesterday and 47 last week at the Outreach at Fairstreet. Much follow up to do and we are working hard on that. Worked on that for a while and Ben came over to my office after he was done painting in the MS room and I ran him home to meet Becky Garner w/ Jacob and Caleb around 4:00. Went back to my office and worked for about another hour and headed to p/u Luke and Nathan from the Dinn's. Got everyone home and we had a family meeting before heading over to Randy and Nikki Grizzle's for dinner. Great evening,great food, and awesome fellowship!! Talked more of Cristy with them and how much we were all just wanting to talk with her. Tonight when we got home, my precious little Luke broke down. He told me, while in tears "I am so sad and why can't mommy just come back home?" OH, that was hard on me. At that moment, I realized even more than I ever have before how much we all desperately need her. Thank God for marriage and family! What a gift from the Lord. If you read this, please pray for all of us. Cristy, when you read this, know there are 6 boys here that LOVE you and desperately need you, and are glad you are back!! Love you BABY!!

Nearly Time!!!

Only 10 more days and I am boarding a plane and headed to the other side of the world! I cannot even describe all of the feelings and thoughts that are running through my mind these days.
Of course, there is the excitement of going to another country with a completely different culture to share the good news of Jesus Christ...but with that comes a little apprehension. What will it be like? What can I expect? Will I get sick? Will my husband and kids survive without me? etc....
Currently, I am in the packing phase. I have pulled out all of my clothing that I have collected so far (we have to dress differently because of the culture) and the gifts I have stock-piled to take to the nationals who I will be working with each day. I am compiling a never-ending list in my mind of all of the last minute things I need to remember...intense bug repellant, malaria medication, Bibles for the leaders, finish making the bracelets to take over, and on and on it goes!
The funny thing is that I have tons of stuff to take, literally a 2-pg packing list, but I am only allowed 2 suitcases and a carry-on with weight limits! How will I ever fit it all in, package it correctly, and make it there with everything I need to bring with me? It's not like there is a Wal-Mart down the street I can run to if I forget something important! We will be in primitive villages lined with huts with Jesus and each other and that is it! But of course, that is all we need...I must keep reminding myself of this fact.
Over all, I do have a great peace about going (even if it doesn't sound like it). I am humbled to be able to take the gospel to people who have never heard the name of Jesus. To think back to when God changed my life and brought me into his family - never would I have dreamed that He would use me at all - even more so in another country! I am thankful that God chooses the foolish to become wise and the weak to be made strong for His glory and purposes! I cannot wait to see what the Holy Spirit accomplishes in the lives of those who will hear in 10 short days...I keep thinking of the souls that I will spend eternity with because of our trip to Africa! How awesome that we will take part in fulfilling Scriptures - that in Heaven some from every tribe and tongue will worship God together. It is an amazing fact that God uses ordinary people like me and you to accomplish eternal purposes! What a miracle that we are entrusted by God Himself with the greatest message ever shared!