In less than a week, I leave for Kenya, Africa. I am scared, excited and any other adjective that would describe sheer panic. I will have limited access to my cell phone, my family and really anything that connects me to the my world. Not the outside world because I will be traveling beyond my comfort. Beyond quick and easy access to cell service, the usage of my cell phone without the cost being sky high and my family.

My utter dependence is on God.

My comfort zone is about to be shaken to the core and I love it. Yes, you heard correctly, I love it.

I don’t want to live a life that is comfortable. Let me explain.

In America, most of us live in comfortable situations. Comfortable meaning that we have clean water, food, clothes and shelter. The basics. We may not have all that we want. Around the world the issues of malnutrition, clean water and illness plague many countries.  Poverty looks very different in many parts of the world.

Poverty does exist in America. I have seen many hungry faces at meal sites that hurt my heart. I have seen it kids be truly hungry and fearing summer break because they won’t have access to food.  We have homeless that need our help. We have families in true need.

What do you do about it?  Do we turn away and ignore the problem? Give our checks and walk away?  Do one time mission trips in the U.S.A and think we are good?

What about around the world? It’s easy to give but much harder to go.  It was not easy to ask for money, to accept help, and to give up time with my children. Yet, God didn’t say it would be easy. God didn’t say I could give him excuses. I said “Here I am God, send me.”  He didn’t say that I could choose the time. He gave me the time, the money and the opportunity. He gave the husband that would send me with a smile on his face and willing to take care of our beautiful children. (Ages 3 & 5).

“Here I am Lord, Send me.”

I told my five-year old about my trip to Africa. I wanted her to know that I wasn’t leaving her to go on vacation without her. We began the talk about Africa.

She asked ” Mommy, what are you going to do there?”

I thought just for a moment. ” Maddie, I am going to a mommy for a few days to  children that don’t have one. Can they borrow me?”

Her answer: “Yes, make sure you love on them. Tell them I said hi.”

She gets it. She’s five. Do you?

“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift has  received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in it’s various forms.”  1 Peter 4:9-10