A phone call away...

This morning my phone rang at 6:00 am. Once.
Followed by another single ring.

When it rang again, I picked up. Dead line.

I looked at the number. It was 'out of area' with a 2-xxx-xxx-xxxx number.

Ah... is someone calling from another country?

And sure enough, the fourth time it rang, I answered quickly... "Auntie Cathy? It's Tejan!"

T. has been staying in Freetown ever since he had his surgery on Mercy Ships at the end of April. Chris Clark, the founder of COTN is visiting now and must have arranged the call.

I made sure he knew we were coming soon. He asked "Who is coming this time?" (I don't think he ever got over the fact that last time I came alone...)

"Everyone!" I answered. "Asia, me, Kyler, Savannah and Ethan!"

"Oh, Auntie Cathy... where is Kyler? Is he at school?"

"No - he's here..."

He got to talk to everyone briefly. He said to Savannah: "Oh, Savannah, I miss you so much I could cry."

We got cut off... he called back, then we got cut off again.

But we got to talk.

And in six weeks we get to see him.

His voice was much deeper... he is becoming a young man.

I am so thrillled to be able to see him again... his voice only made my eagerness that much more intense.

Thank you so much for helping make this possible.

We are so blessed to be able to go see him again.

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude.

7 weeks...

And we'll be on our way...
Can you believe it?

It's almost surreal - after years of planning and hoping and dreaming and praying and saving... we'll be in Sierra Leone 7 weeks from tomorrow.

It's been a roller coaster already - with financial supply and demand keeping us completely dependant on God... just when we think we've got it all covered, some other expense comes up... and then more money comes in... it's fascinating to me how God continues to keep us at His feet and then how generously He provides. It's a constant reminder of how little control we have and how much every good thing comes from above...

I am overwhelmed with the privilege of taking our kids on this adventure... and praying diligently that God will use those upcoming 25 days in July to radically transform the way they see the world... to change who they are becoming in ways that will enlarge their idea of the Kingdom... their plans for the future... their hearts. There is so much potential... praying HARD that circumstances and exhaustion and 25 days of  'family time' will not get in the way of heart/life change. I know I cannot begin to imagine how they might be changed.

Or how Asia and I might be changed for that matter... big things going on in our hearts already and so I'm eager to see how the raw experiences ahead of us this summer might bring about crazy change in our lives as well.

For those of you who have particiapted so far in our vision for this trip - I cannot begin to express my gratitude for your financial support and your prayers and your love and concern. To have such an amazing group of people behind us as we embark on this adventure is humbling to say the least. We are SO blessed. Thank you for embracing our vision and loving us through your support.

Seven weeks... it's just a heartbeat, you know. Eeks, I'm getting excited!