Who Knew...

....That God has been preparing my heart for a solo trip to Africa for over 10 years...

Ten years ago (age 20) I left the country for the first time. I was by myself on a plane with other Samford students that I did not know. My sister was on a different flight, and we were each headed to London. We met up at the airport in London, stayed with her friend for a few days, then we backpacked throughout Europe for 2 weeks. We slept on trains and in hostels and we pretty much "hit" a different country every day. After that we returned to London where she flew back home and I met up with more Samford students I didn't know and took a class (well, did sight seeing) through Samford for an additional 2 weeks. I never really tried to "make friends" on this trip, so I guess you could say I was by myself. If I had not had this experience I would NEVER have the confidence to consider going to Africa by myself.

Last year when I finally decided to go on a mission trip. I really wanted to go to Africa but people kept telling me to go somewhere "closer" for my first trip. All of the Africa trips were two week trips (and I was not willing to "give up" two weeks of vacation for mission trips at this time) and they cost a fortune so I reluctantly took their advice and went to Guatemala. I may have the opportunity to do some outreaching in the slums in Uganda. If I had not been to the dump in Guatemala I would probably be terrified to go to the slums without J.T. Turner, Greg Brown and Danny Lopez!! Don't think I'm being naive and stupid for saying this, but I'm completely comfortable going to the slums in Africa if God leads us there. I don't think it can be much worse than the destitution I saw in Guatemala. 

Isn't it neat to see how God uses various experiences in our lives to prepare us for the next thing He has planned!?