1.26.2010

Off to Africa...Again!!!

Tonight feels much like August 18th, 2009 when our living room was full of luggage, the night was getting long, and we were getting ready to head out on a long journey bright early. But this time around, the never-ending butterflies and anxious, nervous, excited energy is not there like it was back in August because this time, my baby boy is sleeping right down the hall, safe, snug, and loved in his crib. :)

This time, I have a different kind of nervous... the "taking my one year old on an airplane for THAT LONG kind of nervous." Are you kidding? :) Haha. Remember our flight home from Ethiopia? Let's just say it was as horrific as I thought it was going to be! But then again, poor Mekonen was so sick. This time around I think he will do much better!!!!! Wishful thinking counts as reality right?

Tomorrow morning we head off to Zambia, Africa! Indy, to Washington, to an overnight stay in South Africa, and then on to Zambia! We will be there for two weeks surveying a Christian ministry/organization that might be a potential long-term opportunity for us. They are doing primarily self-sustaining business agricultural projects- teaching the Zambians how to run a business and how to profit in order to provide for their families and communities. It's really amazing! Some of the businesses include things like honeybees, aloe plants, bananas, sawmills, and fish ponds. They also have a pastor's school, plans in the making for a highschool and elementary school, and just finished building a medical clinic waiting to be staffed with doctors and nurses.

So all that to say, we would love and appreciate your prayers for wisdom, clarity and direction as we discern whether the Lord would have us return to Zambia full-time. If you are interested, here is the website about where we are going.
www.liftingafrica.org

We are unsure of what our internet access will be on the trip. So if we don't update as we go along, I of course will give a detailed account of our trip when we return! So until then, here's a picture of our little man to hold you over! :) See ya!




7 comments:

Danielle said...

many many hugs and well wishes! praying for you!

Charity Hildebrand said...

I'm really really excited for you guys! What an awesome opportunity! I can't wait to read about your trip! I love the whole micro-enterprise, holistic approach to bringing change! We are in the process of starting a non profit business here in Turkey, but will also work in parts of Africa. My husband is taking a trip to Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya next week! So to hear what you and Jon are praying about is SUCH an exciting thing! I will be praying for you! Can't wait to read more!!!! I'm going to go check out that website right now :)

Amber said...

Good Luck and safe travels... you will be in our prayers. And, I am sure Mekonen will do much better this time. It is always way worse when they are sick. Have a Great Trip!!!

Unknown said...

Praying for a safe trip.

Donna-Jean Breckenridge said...

Just a note to say your blog has been a source of blessing and delight to me and to my family tonight! I found it via a search for adopting in Ethiopia on twitter (I'm libertyandlily)- and just loved the Dr. Moore quote you gave!

We have a married daughter and two teenage children, and we're praying about adopting from Ethiopia (we're still young enough for an 8 year old or older :-) Praying for God to guide and provide...

Thanks for the blessing today - Proverbs 3:5 & 6 for your next trip to Africa - God bless!

P.S. Your son is absolutely adorable. But I'm sure you know that :-)

doddyj said...

Sweet Rachael!! What an amazing opportunity! It sounds like such an adventure and I know God will reveal to you more of what He wants for your lives while there. Can't wait to read your updates...

Robert Rhamy said...

Rachel:
I know you have bout 1,000 things on your plate right now, but I am desperately searching for a family in the area that could give us insight on adopting from Ethiopia.
I can't believe you've gone from adoption from Africa to possibly moving to Africa! God always keeps it interesting, yes?
We live right in your area, so if you feel comfortable, I would love to hear from you. My name is Megan Rhamy and I"m on Facebook. Thank you!