Although this was not often spoken aloud, it seemed to be what many have been thinking when we tell them what the next year entails. On many occasions, I have also found myself wondering, “Are we crazy?” as we prepare for what is ahead.
Matthew and I will be leaving Colorado Springs in three weeks on May 10th for a ten-month trip around the world. After a few busy months of moving out of our home, packing, and preparing to leave the jobs we have been in for the last several years, we are now making the final preparations to leave our home, our comfort zone, our jobs; and say goodbye to our beloved friends and family.
Over the last several years, many hours of prayer, planning, and thought have been devoted to the preparation of this trip. Despite the unknowns and challenges we are sure to face over the coming year, we feel an overwhelming sense of peace and are standing in awe as we watch the Lord craft together the plans and details of this trip.
Here is what we are planning for our schedule:
May, June, early July 2011
London, England
Sheffield, England
Edinburgh, Scotland
Prague, Czech Republic
Gusternhain, Germany
Kaiserslautern, Germany
France
Italy
Greece
July 2011
Israel
Egypt
August 2011
Nairobi, Kenya
Rwanda
September 2011
India
Nepal
October, November 2011
Thailand
Cambodia
Vietnam
Indonesia
December 2011
Australia
January, February 2012
New Zealand
March 2012
Fiji
California
End of March 2012
Return home to Colorado Springs
During our time in Nairobi, Kenya, Matthew and I have the privilege of leading a short term mission trip for a team of therapists to work with the children and staff we met during our trip with Hope’s Promise last year. We are beyond excited and are again amazed to see how this team has formed. “The Dream Team” is a multidisciplinary team consisting of a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, 2 Speech Pathologists, a Licensed Professional Counselor, Special Education Teacher, and a Pediatric Nurse. I don’t have words to express how amazed I am to have such a wonderful team of people. More details to come after our trip in August!
Matthew and I are also looking forward to visiting friends and family in many of our destinations including England, Scotland, Germany, Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, India, and Australia. And, we will have the opportunity to visit the Hope’s Promise orphan homes in Nepal and Vietnam in the fall.
We are blessed beyond words to have each of you, our dear friends and family, standing in support of us as we travel around the globe. Please know that each and every one of you have had a significant impact on our lives and we will miss you all! We will be using this blog to post pictures and updates about where we are and what life looks like in each of our destinations along the way.
So, in answer to the question, “Are you crazy?” it is undoubtedly “YES!” We are crazy…but not in the way one might think. We are crazy about this adventure called life, we are crazy about seeking the One who is leading us on this adventure, we are crazy about meeting new people and having new experiences together, we are crazy about learning to love well and love deeply, and we are crazy about giving all we are and all we have in response to Him who has given us everything. Yes, we are crazy.
