We Made It!!!!

So... we made it to Johannesburg a couple hours ago!! Thank you for all of your prayers.. God definately had gone before us and orchestrated every detail of our traveling. On the first flight from Knoxville to Detroit I had this craving for Mcdonalds french fries.. go figure, but our flight from Detroit to Amsterdam was boarding as soon as our first flight had landed, so after we RAN (funniest thing ever... bags flying, I was tripping over my own feet, and running over people) to the gate and tried to breathe lo and behold Mcdonalds right across from gate for me to eat :) This was just the beginning of God's hand directing us. On this flight we met this lady who was reading one of Heidi Baker's books, she then told us of a girl traveling to Moz to attend a missions school that had given her the book to read... um......so AWESOME!!!! This sweet lady who was majorily prego and had two small children in car seats was traveling to N. Uganda. Absolutely amazing how God is stirring in hearts and calling His children to follow Him even in times that might not be the most convenient aka PREGNANT IN AFRICA.. only God could call someone to do that!!!!!

Once in Amsterdam, we met four other girls also going to Iris. All four of them were from the states and in college just like us. We boarded our last plane for the day...10 hours to Johannesburg. The flight flew by..slept most of the way, watched High School Musical 3 and read a little bit in When God Writes Your Love Story. On this flight we met this precious little lady who was from Tanzania, but had been visiting in Chicago. She could hardly understand us and we could barely make out what she would say, never the less we laughed and smiled alot at each other . Kelly and I both were amazed at how smoothly everything was going and continued to lift praises up to Him. When we landed our luggage was the first to be taken off the plane.. This sweet man from the airport helped us with our luggage and led us to where the shuttles were, we told him what we were in Africa for and he exclaimed, "I am a son of God!!" Kelly and I were both like... WOW all praise to you Jesus!! we waited around for an hour or so on our hotel shuttle and while we waited the little lady from the plane came rushing over to us with her granddaughter in her arms and her son close behind her anxiously wanting us to meet them both. This was so awesome, we could hardly communicate, yet she liked us and wanted to show off her family to us.

Thank you again for all of your prayers. Please be praying for our time here in Johannesburg. We fly out on Sunday to Pemba, not exactly sure what we will do here. We were invited to go to a rugby game tomorrow.. apparently a real big game , the Lions are playing here in Johan, only every 4 years does this happen ha. But um.. who knows we may just rest and finish up reading for school. Please just pray for safety!!!! Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE YOU ALL,
Chelsey

Preparing for the adventure to Mozambique...

In 15 days Kelly and I will be boarding a plane to Mozambique, Africa!!! As my school semester came to a close, I was able to begin the preparation process for such an adventure. I have gone to the health department to get shots, filled out and sent my visa off, gone to wally world and bought enough granola bars to feed an army, picked out the largest suit case possible, finishing up my reading, praising HIM for His faithfulness in my support, and praying hard that HE will fill me with peace, love, courage, compassion, selflessness, energy, discipline, and an open heart to what He is going to reveal to me this summer.

My heart is doing cart-wheels inside me because I am so excited to go, but at the same time a little nervous of what I am going to witness while there. I can not wait to hold and love on all the children there. I know one thing is for sure, the Lord has blessed me with a compassionate heart for children.

As I have been preparing the song "Lead Me to the Cross" by Hillsong has been my prayer, " Savior I come Quiet my soul remember Redemptions hill Where Your blood was spilled For my ransom Everything I once held dear I count it all as lost Lead me to the cross Where Your love poured out Bring me to my knees Lord I lay me down Rid me of myself I belong to You Lead me, lead me to the cross You were as I Tempted and trialed human Your word became flesh Bore my sin and death Now you're risen To your heart To your heart Lead me to your heart Lead me to your heart!"