Two weeks ago, just about the time we said "Whew! No more fundraising!" we get the word from Dave's work that they were wanting to send Dave to England to help out the UK office and they were possibly considering sending the whole family. This started us down the road of anticipation, but I was pessimistic. There was no good reason to send a family of six on the company's dime other than to bless a hard working, long-term employee. I was shocked when the company came back with an offer to send the whole family for 3 1/2 months!
As you can imagine, this was a huge mental distraction for us. Since they needed Dave within days of returning to Africa I suddenly had to prepare for two trips instead of one and I only had about 2 weeks to get it all together. The logistics were paralyzing at first, but we processed the details and started working a plan.
Did I mention how mentally distracting this was from our Africa trip?
Over the past two weeks we have run the gambit of emotion but we landed in a place of excitement. Even the kids were warming up to the idea of a family adventure. This was an opportunity that we could never afford on our own...traveling internationally together. I felt blessed and I was so glad Dave's company was willing to honor him in this way. Dave and I waited with anticipation for a meeting with his boss to receive all the logistics, but when that meeting came (yesterday) we were stunned to hear that they would no longer be sending the whole family.
"Disappointed" seems too flippant and "shattered" too severe - but we are very let down. I mean, I had spent two weeks thanking God for blessing us with an opportunity that I had only dreamed about for my family. We had prayed about the logistics, contacted a church, found a home group, familiarized ourselves with the area, the weather, the free places to visit, etc. Now...nothing.
After some time to process the news I've decided that this whole thing was nothing short of an attack by the enemy. It's like an emotional grenade was thrown into the middle of our lives; it came out of nowhere, sent us scrambling then exploded. Fortunately, God's word says, "no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD" - Isaiah 54:17 The grenade was a dud, meaning it didn't destroy us, but boy has it left our ears ringing!
It also serves to remind me that we are in a battle for the souls of men. As I've struggled to re-focus my thoughts towards Africa I realize that Satan doesn't like it one bit when the truth of God goes forth to shine in the darkness of broken lives. There is definitely a battle and we are foot soldiers in that fight.
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." - Ephesians 6:11-12
Yes, I am sad about not going to England with the family, but when I stop and consider the scriptures I've shared with you today, I'm encouraged and believe that great things are ready to happen in Akala, Kenya!
Amen Lord, let it be!
- Julie
P.S. In case you're wondering, yes - we know we might be wrong about all this. We have prayed and given the whole situation over to God to work out the details as he sees fit, but for me, emotionally, I have to consider the matter closed. Perhaps circumstances will change so feel free to pray as you feel led.
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