In the words of the Psalmist, “This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
This is one of those times I couldn’t agree more. Today is definitely a day for rejoicing. Today is a day I’ve been looking forward to for at least the past 365 – and probably a bit longer.
It was nearly a year ago, the day the last mission team left for Village of Hope, that God told me I was “good to go” for this year’s trip. The message was so clear, so distinct, so unmistakeable that I nearly ran my car off the road. Are you sure, God?? I mean, are you REALLY sure?
The response was just as clear. Yes, my child, I am sure. You have listened and obeyed my call to remain home this time. You sacrificed your own desires and dreams to do the thing I was asking of you. You are ready. Next year, it’s your turn. I’d like to think at that moment God had a smile on His face. There certainly was a smile on mine, beneath the tears that streamed down my face.
Since that moment, I’ve looked forward to this day. I’ve planned and prepared and anticipated and prayed over this day. I’ve talked about, dreamed about, and counted down the days, the hours, and even the minutes to this day.
And now it’s here. Today I leave for Africa. Today, I begin the journey to reunite the rest of me with the large chunk of my heart I left behind in August, 2010. Today, I bid farewell to family and friends and all the comforts of home to fully engage in life in a remote village in northwestern Uganda. Today, I set in motion the plan that God ordained for me before my life even began. Today, I take those first steps of faith toward discovering the miracles God has planned for our team on this trip. Today, I forge a new direction toward becoming the person God desires me to be.
This is the day the Lord has made. Yes, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Even if that means I’m smiling in my seat all the way to London.