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| It’s a good day for a fire in the fireplace – cloudy, gusty, and cold. I’ve added another log to the fire, and pulled the blue comfy chair around. I plan to camp out a bit here this evening. And I’d welcome some company. We’d put the kettle on and enjoy some tea or hot chocolate. Pull another chair in front of the glowing coals and crackling flames, and sit and visit for a good long while. And I’d tell you about Africa. I arrived home last night, and stayed up long enough to wash a load of laundry and dump everything out of my suitcase. Called my folks and best friend to tell them I was home safe and sound. Then wrapped myself up in my stripped afghan and slept for eleven hours. It was a good week on the far side of the world in Lomé, Togo. Busy and full, with teachings all day. Much singing and dancing as well. And much joy, and much fellowship. It was sweet indeed. And there is more to say on that, but I believe if we were together here in front of this cozy fire on this chilly day, I think we’d just talk about the goodness of God. How faithful He is, how perfect His provision. His care – seen in big events and small. For a missions trip is more than the adventure of traveling and the experiences of a new country and culture. One gets to see God at work. Be in complete dependence upon Him, and find that He does not fail or disappoint. Yes. I think you and I would sit in this warm glow and talk about the Lord. We have proved He is trustworthy. We have seen that He is able. We have found Him a redeemer. We have trusted in His timing. We have rested in His love. Truly, our Father is faithful. I am a witness. - Haley | | |
| Friday, as in, the day after tomorrow, I will be en route to Togo, West Africa. This will require a nine-hour flight to Paris, France followed by a seven-hour flight to Lome, Togo. I’m thinking of just wearing my pajamas, seeing I’ll just be sitting the entire way. But then what shoes should I wear…? I’ve packed a box of granola bars (and have some M&Ms in my carry-on). I wish, however, there was some way to bring along a jar of pickles. Kosher dills. And, you know, it is entirely different packing for ten days than packing for a month’s stay (like the trip to Ghana in ’07). I can guess how much toothpaste I’ll use in a week and a half. I had to narrow down the books to bring to read on the plane. I’ve settled on “Abandoned to God”, a biography on Oswald Chambers. With that, some teaching material, my BSF lesson, and a few journals, I think I’m set for reading and writing material. I’m still bringing Scrabble tiles, though. And my orange Duncan yo-yo. I have found yo-yoing stress relieving, and it helps me think. Scrabble is still just an essential part of my life. Togo is a French speaking country. And I know a very little French. I can greet someone with “Good-morning”, be polite with a “Thank-you”, and ask my audience to “Listen”. ----- There is nothing more frustrating than to misplace a coupon. I feel a sort of responsibility toward the seven cartons of ice cream in the freezer. They need me. This whole time change thing-y has thrown me off schedule. But it has been helpful in rising an hour earlier. One of my favorite things to do with my dad is laugh with him. | | |
| Time is ambiguous to measure. It seems easy to say, “This time next week”, but little does that phrase convey all the living and tasks and schedules and lists and chores contained in that space of time. Next week: so soon, but a lifetime away. A lot will happen between now and this time next week. By seven o’clock next Friday I will be on a jumbo jet 30,000 feet in the air, somewhere over the continental United States. I’ll be headed northeast. And nine hours later will land in Paris, France. I hope to sleep the whole way. Next week. Like, in seven days and nights from now. Two BFS classes, one Africa meeting, one Missions Women meeting, one BTCL night, one laundry day, and several mornings feeding the cats. And all sorts of in-between time packing, sorting through piles, and finally cleaning my shower. I will only be in Lome, Togo for one week. We’ll pack a lot into those few days. More than its own tasks and schedules, night and day the team will be pouring into women’s lives. African leaders. This time next week I get to live and breathe investment into eternity. That time is hard to measure as well. So, in this moment of dusk, between day and night, I’m sitting here quietly thinking of time and all I have to do in a week, and all I get to do in another week. And, Lord willing, I think I’m ready. | | |
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This time next week my beloved father will be in the Lone Star State again. He's visiting for a week. And we'll play Skip-Bo, and eat breakfast at Old West, and maybe catch a movie, and sit around the kitchen table talking, and drink good coffee... and maybe build the first fire in the fireplace. It shall be sweet indeed. | | |
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Before this year, I didn’t know that “TOGO” was the name of a West African country. Sure, I’d been to Ghana in 2007 (right next door). And I’d heard of Liberia and Nigeria and the Ivory Coast (Cote D’Voire). But “Burkina Faso” and “Benin” and “Togo”? Where in the world was that?! By March of this year, I’d found the spot on a map… and began to dream of visiting such a place. And here we are, nigh on to the end of the year, and God has been faithful to bring me to this moment… and I look forward to three weeks from now when He will carry me to a far distant spot in the world. 
Sometimes I forget – don’t you? – that God is the God of the Universe. He is not limited by time or space. His throne is established forever in heaven. He is Most High. And when I stand and consider a world map that covers an entire back wall I’m impressed by the immensity of His creation and the breadth of His kingdom. I can hardly wait to meet His people living on the far side of the world. I’m headed to Lome, Togo in three weeks. Pray for me, will you, as I prepare. May God be glorified. | | |
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