a layne post
Jon and I keep looking at each other and asking, “Are we really moving to Africa on Friday? And by the way, where are we going?”
Maybe it is because we do not know exactly where we are going, or maybe it is just our current, crazy, unsettled life, but it all feels a little unreal. There is this part of me, that is currently buried in the extreme emotions that accompany “good-byes”, that is excited and filled with anticipation. I have moments, normally fleeting, when I can grasp this feeling and remember, “Layne, you love this. You love Africa. You love serving.”
It is during these moments that I gain the strength, once again from our gracious Lord, that enables me to board that plane on Friday and leave my family… my precious, precious loving family.
Prayer Points
- We still do not have an invitation or visa to Angola. We still are holding onto a small hope we could get some paperwork together before we leave, yes, in 4 days. Please pray with us! No matter what happens though, we believe the Lord has a plan laid out for us, and as long as He guides us for the day, we’ll be alright.
- Pray for emotional strength on Friday.
- Pray for wisdom and direction upon our arrival in South Africa.
Thank you all your support and love while we have been in the States, as well as commitments for the future! We have felt so loved. My spirit has been refreshed. We look forward to posting reports of our (that is you too!) work from Africa!
Leading worship at Quiettime Ministries
Some girl time
More pics to come…
love you guys! i know these last few days must be tough, so i’ll be praying extra hard for you. hugs and kisses!
You’ve got some crazy, fun, memorable days ahead. Praying for you guys. In regard to your visa for Angola, I’m reprinted something from Nathaniel Dunigans heart principles that became his leadership core (If youdidn’t get that newsletter, I can forward it to you, because it was excellent).
Praying buckets,
Lynne
1. Just do it! The power of active-compassion cannot be overstated. There were no magical sources of funding, and no secret codes to guide me, but there were compassionate, wise people every step of the way; people from whom I could learn, and whose partnerships helped me stand. There were willing hearts, and kind spirits. But I would never have discovered even one of them had I not embraced the great power of action. I have often likened my African experience to the thrilling crossing of a river. While you know that you want to reach the other side, you may not be exactly sure of how to get there. Often, the path of stepping stones cannot be seen from one bank to the other. But all you need is to identify that first stone. That first act. That first step. Only once you are standing on the strength of the first, can you identify the second, and then the third, fourth, fifth – until eventually, gloriously – you find yourself on the other side of a massive, powerful river of work. Just do it. A leader must embrace vision, identify one (and sometimes only one) stepping stone, and then GO.
I almost feel poetic, thinking of how the tide of emotion sometimes seems so much like the ocean tide — so powerful and frighteningly inexorable.
Thinking of your imminent leaving, makes me feel like I’m standing on the edge of the ocean and the tide is coming in. Will it overwhelm me? Or will it just get me a little wet? Regardless of how strong the waves end up being, there is one absolute certainty: After the tide goes out, I will have to wash and blow-dry my hair.
The ocean tide is so unpredictable, and so is the tide of emotion. They scare me. But they are also beautiful and I recognize them as gifts from God. And anyway, there’s nothing I can do to stop them. I just have to let them do what they do.
And after the tide goes out, I’ll go blow-dry my hair.
Love you guys. :-).
You will be missed here in the states.
I have certainly felt a range of emotions this past week I’ve not experienced before and oddly feel strangely comforted at the same time. I’m blessed to feel so sad and yet so thankful because of your faithfulness to our Lord! I cannot wait to do my part to support you both in every way you’ve asked:) All of my love.