Let go and Let God

ZAMBIA HERE WE COME

Ok, so that was taken at the Dallas Zoo but we are getting really excited about our upcoming trip.  We have purchased our plane tickets and have our exact travel dates.  Brandon is so ready to go to Zambia. He talks about it nearly every day.  He's excited to meet his family, to work with the kids at the school, to do construction on the building, and to just be a part of something big.

We are about to head off to Tennessee for our yearly trip to Dollywood.  The guys in the Zambian Vocal Group are preforming at their big Festival of Nations and I'll be helping in their product booth again this year.  I'm really glad that I'll be able to spend a bit of time helping with their ministry, plus I'll be able to catch a lot of awesome concerts while I'm working.  We are going to be gone for a little over a month and as I'm surrounded by a pile of laundry that needs to be sorted and packed I'm starting to get a little overwhelmed by all of our upcoming travels.  If I'm stressing about the travel details for a month long trip in the states, how am I going to handle our trip to Zambia?  I'm sure that everyone who has ever gone on a family vacation knows that it's probably the least relaxing trip you could take.  When you have little kids, your entire life revolves around naptime, snacks, amusement, behavior, and fun.  That's a lot to keep going on any trip but what about when everything around you is totally different than what you are used to?  New country, new language, new food, new surroundings, new dangers, new joys, new people...  It sounds fantastic... until the first meltdown from a 1 year old on a crowded bus right?  I'm sure they will do fine.   I'm sure I'll do fine.  I'm sure I will be able to plan out our trip, pack all of our luggage, and survive the 2 long days of travel with two small children.  I know that God would never give me more than I can handle... but I think He's testing me lately.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lordyour God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

We attended an awesome and uplifting service at the Hope Fellowship Mckinney campus last night.  Sometimes I need a big reminder that I'm not the one really driving the bus.  I'm a control freak.  I plan out every part of my life so the whole "let go and let God" thing is a constant struggle for me.  I've spent to many hours worrying, stressing, and obsessing over details of our Mission Trip.  Everything has changed right in the middle of my plans, lists, and charts... but it will all work out according to His plan, not mine.  Starting tonight, I'm going to stop letting the stress take over.  We don't have enough money raised for the trip yet, but it will come.  We don't have housing secured, but it will happen.  We don't have all of the details planned out, but they will fall into place.  I choose to trust and be excited about the journey we are about to go on.  


If you are reading this blog and are wondering how you can help... 
What we need most is prayer.  Pray that we raise enough money to make the journey, that we have safe travels, that we stay healthy during our trip, that we are able to make a difference in the lives of the children we are working with, that our children will adjust nicely and that they will be able to enjoy and learn from the children in Zambia.  

We are still raising money to cover the cost of the trip, in fact we haven't raised enough money to pay for the plane tickets that we have already purchased... so if you feel like you would like to donate towards our trip we would appreciate that greatly!  There is a link at the top of this blog to donate online, or if you would like to send a check, you can email me for our mailing address. pammie_sichangwa@yahoo.com