It Hasn't Hit Us Yet

As Kaila said, the time is around the corner for us to depart and there doesn't seem to be time to get it all done.  Kaila and I are leaving Tuesday afternoon for Topeka to attend the Kansas Hospital Association Annual Convention and then leaving directly from there for Zimbabwe.  We're flying out of Wichita early Friday morning.  Whatever isn't done by Tuesday when we leave Ashland simply won't get done.  We're packing tonight and tomorrow.  Toothbrush?  Check?  T-shirts?  Check.  Bug repellent?  Check.  Underwear?  Plenty.  Screening supplies?  Still at the lumber yard to be picked up tomorrow.

Chance and I were just talking about how people from Ashland keep approaching us with a spirit of deep concern, as though they're worried for our safety.  Though we appreciate the prayers and support as we head over there, we don't seem to be losing sleep over any potential danger.  Chance did acknowledge that he was watching a TV show recently that was listing the best and worst places to live in the world.  Zimbabwe, as you might have guessed, is on the latter list.  Nevertheless, we are not anxious.  Maybe it's because we feel we are protected in some way, or because we're associated with a hospital over there and even the biggest trouble makers need doctors.  It could be, though, that it really hasn't hit us yet, and it may not hit us until the plane leaves DC and our cell phones no longer work. 

What is most encouraging for me though, as that we are each, in our own way, preparing our hearts for this experience...not that we would be the know-it-all Americans to go over there to "show them the way", but that we would learn what it means to live like they do, to walk in their shoes, and to show them love in their language.  In doing so, I hope each of us leaves so moved by what they teach us that others' lives here in Ashland are transformed by our interaction with them when we return. 

We will shoot for a blog post from one of the three of us each day.  This way you'll get a different perspective, depending on who writes.  Check in once a day for an update on the action!

-Benjamin