Less Than 12 Hours!

In 12 hours I'll be landing in the JFK airport to start off my 5.5 hour layover before taking off towards Ghana!  I can't believe the time is already here.  It seems so surreal.  This past Sunday, Mother's Day, I was able to say goodbye to my extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.).  My mom even made me an awesome cake!  Check it out!  :) 

Over the last couple days I've managed to get my bags packed.  One bag to check in (weighing 41.5 lbs), a carry-on, and a "purse."  My "purse" just happens to be big enough to carry my netbook along with several of my textbooks for the semester!  Several of my friends and family have also contributed to my packing by telling me their favorite scripture verses to write on index cards and disperse throughout my luggage.  I figure this serves two purposes.  First, it is encouragement for me as I find these cards throughout my time in Ghana.  Second, if my luggage is inspected then the individual doing the search will see the scriptures.  You never know what God can do through His Word! 

As I've mentioned before, I plan on blogging while I'm there.  Hopefully, I'll get this opportunity approximately every other day, but this will depend on where we are, what time I have, and whether or not I have an internet connection.

Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for safe travels tomorrow.
- Pray that the Lord would grant each of us an overwhelming peace knowing that we go in obedience to His calling.

Thanks again for your support.  If you have any questions, comments, or requests while I'm away, please feel free to leave a comment.  Not sure how well I'll be able to answer, but I would love to know what you're interested in hearing about!

God bless!

T-9 Days

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? - Romans 8:31-32

There are only 9 days until I catch a flight to Accra, Ghana with my team from Regent University! With so little time left I've been up to quite a bit over the last couple weeks since my last post. In hopes of not making this post too long, here are some of the highlights:


Commissioning:
This past Wednesday our team was invited to a special combined chapel between Regent University and CBN. At the chapel our team, along with a missions team going to Europe and another team going to India, was introduced and then Dr. Campo, president of Regent University prayed for us. It was an awesome commissioning chapel.

Visa:
My visa also came in last week so I can now officially enter the country of Ghana! As of now everyone on our team has their visa and vaccines. Now we're just waiting for the 11th!

Toys and Cards:One thing we have the opportunity to do on our trip is visit schools and orphanages. This particular aspect of the trip is especially significant to me as I love to work with children. For this reason I gathered together some small stuffed animals and other fun surprises to use with the children and leave with them. I've also enlisted the help of the children's ministry at my church. This Sunday morning I was invited to speak to three Sunday School classes to talk about where I'm going and ask them to draw pictures and write letters to the children I'll meet on my trip. The idea is to first show the children here that they can have an impact on someone halfway around the world and, second, show the children in Ghana that they are loved. The children's pastor at our church, Pastor Billy, and his wife, Kim, came up with an awesome idea to make cards. They provided the paper, cut-outs, markers, and time in their classes for the children to put these cards together. I can't wait to post pictures of some of them next week and pass them out to the children in Ghana! The cards are absolutely awesome. Our kids did a great job with them!

It was so funny to hear the questions the kids had.  They were very concerned about the animals there, what people wear, if they drive cars, and the best of all . . . where do they go to the bathroom in a village with no electricy or indoor plumbing!  I can't wait to visit the kids again when I get back so I can better answer some of the their questions and tell them some stories.

How you can help:
Many people have asked how they can help so here are several ways you can get involved:

Prayer -

Please be praying for our team. Pray that our minds would be opened to quickly understand and adapt to the culture and language. That our eyes would be opened to see these people as Christ sees them. That our hearts would love as Christ loves. That our hands would touch and heal and that our feet would boldly go wherever the Lord directs us. Pray also for safety along the way as well as open hearts and doors when we arrive.

Financial -
As I come down to the last days before the trip there are a couple expenses I could use help with. One of my flights, from Norfolk to New York, has not yet been paid for. This flight cost $120. Also, I'm gathering together small toys and school supplies to take to the children. If you would like to give money towards what I've already purchased or have small toys or supplies you would want to donate that would be great! If you feel led to give towards any of these opportunities please email me at crysfle@regent.edu.

Upcoming:This week we'll have language and culture training so I look forward to sharing that will you in the next post!

I'm sorry . . . how many shots?

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. - 3 John1:2

33 days left . . . and so much to do!  This week was busy in regards to getting everything prepared to leave for Ghana.  I bought plane tickets to and from JFK International airport, submitted my visa application to the Embassy of Ghana, and had a rather extensive meeting with Passport Health this morning!


VISA APPLICATIONS:  Our team should get our passports with approved visas within the next 10 days.  Please be praying that with everything going on in our government right now that this process is not delayed.  What an interesting process all of that turned out to be.  I've never seen such specific instructions before - down to how exactly to affix your passport picture to you application.  (If you apply for a Ghanaian visa anytime soon be sure to use glue and not staples!) 
 
IMMUNIZATIONS:  In researching the immunizations we would need before leaving, I had found what I would consider a rather substantial list and was not particularly looking forward to that doctor's visit.  This morning, however, I was pleasantly surprised.  I went to Passport Health in Virginia Beach to get all of my shots and was blown away at how helpful and kind they were.  I ended up being there for about an hour and a half, but unlike any doctor's visit I had ever been in before, I was actually face to face with my nurse that entire time!  She's a lovely lady named Eileen and I hope to be able to schedule all of my future visits with her.  Not only did they provide all the shots I needed, but they also prescribed some medications that could be helpful on my trip and even wrote me a book!  :)

In all, I received 5 shots today:  Influenza, Hepatitis A, Polio, Yellow Fever, and Meningitis.  My poor arms are still a little sore if I happen to move too much without considering my actions first.  I must admit though that it was much better than I was expecting.  In addition to these lovely shots, I was also prescribed anti-malarial medicine which I will begin taking two weeks before I leave and will continue to take it until four weeks after I return.  There is also a Typhoid Fever vaccine that can be received through a pill.  That one sounds so cool because you only take four of them, but since they contain "live" ingredients, the vaccine is good for up to five years!  Finally, I have another medicine to take only if I get sick in any other way while I'm there.  Basically, I'm set!  :)

WHAT NOW?: As of now I'm waiting for my visa to be returned, to pick up all my prescriptions, and to start collecting all the "extra" things I'll need to take with me.  As always, please be praying for our team as we prepare.  We'll be doing some culture and language training next week which I will be sure to pass along.  Thanks again for your support.  It's such a blessing!

(And feel free to comment or ask questions!)