A Prayer Request from Anne

These two boys of mine have been getting mighty testy lately. There's nothing wrong with them -- in fact, they're doing what all the other 7-year-old and 4-year-old boys do to their mothers. Push. Push. Push.

Mom?

Mom?

MOM!!

Please pray for creativity and confidence for me to discipline my sons so that I can keep them safe on our trip. This has been my latest mantra: if you don't listen and obey my words, I can't keep you safe. Pray that I would follow through against disagreeable behavior and not get so irritated by their sibling rivalry.

This is an important prayer for me. This upcoming month will be a big one with all the preparation that we've got to do.
Thanks.

Our Dear Supporters

I'm humbled by all the responses we've received -- the generosity, the prayer support, the good well wishes.
We're just about a month away from our endeavor. The boys are finishing up with school, TV shows are having their finales, the weather is full-on spring.
We've reached 50% of our financial goal as of today, but every day we receive more and more support. I've never really been too concerned about whether or not we'd raise enough money -- that part always seems to take care of itself.

Here's a glimpse of how we are preparing:

• Robin, Jeanine and I are pulling together ideas for crafts and activities for the kids.
• We're all learning about the South African culture and Robin is trying to develop a presentation for the girls and young women to teach them about personal safety and personal ownership of their bodies. This is an area of great difficulty for us because of the vast differences in our cultures.
• We're trying to prepare our kids for the trips. We have world maps that the boys can draw on so that they can see where we're going.
  I'm trying to ramp up my discipline for the boys so they will learn appropriate boundaries and not get lost! We're trying to remember ways to incorporate what (we think) we'll experience in Africa so that our boys can be on the lookout for situations that will likely be very different than what they understand here in the States.
• I'm constantly trying NOT to say "Eat your dinner -- there are starving children in Africa!!" (seriously)
• The world continues to look different every day as we look forward to our trip -- how my boys react in situations with other children, how greed and entitlement are prevalent in their daily lives and so on.
• We're relaxing Isaac's diet to see how he reacts to small amounts of foods that his body is sensitive to. He still has a little eczema but it's manageable. Praise God!!
• I'm in regular counseling to help me prepare myself for an intense 3 weeks. I'm learning that God is Good and worthy to be trusted. Exciting stuff.
  

The Lord Provides!

We've reached half of our financial goal! Thank you so much!!

Specific Prayer Requests

Prayer for Unity in our group
We have a team of 17 people going and for many of us, this is the first time we’ve ever met.

Prayer for Travel
While Charlie and Isaac generally travel well, this trip will push them to their limits (and ours). 8 hours on a plane is difficult, adding another 11 is even more of a challenge. Please pray for patience from us, general health for our whole family and perseverance (and perspective!) to make it through the long airplane ride(s).

Prayer for Charlie
Charlie is a bright, energetic boy who loves to play. He can get overwhelmed when surrounded with too much activity or people. He needs to be able to go off by himself to recharge, but in this particular trip, this can be difficult. Please pray for him and that he can learn to adapt or that the Lord would provide a place for him to recharge.

Prayer for Isaac
Isaac is a happy go-lucky boy that loves life. He doesn’t necessarily love to do what everyone else is doing and occasionally wanders off to find, what we call, “something shiny.” He loves to explore and discover the next new thing. Please pray that he would NOT get lost EVER and that we can keep a good handle on hemming him in.

Prayer for Anne
My heart will be split in two on this trip. I’ll be a mother to two boys and an ambassador for Jesus to 200+ kids. Pray for my heart and that God would have me exactly where He wants me to serve Him. If that’s hanging back with my boys, so be it.

Prayer for the Group
Please pray for unity among our group and that our gifts would compliment each other. Pray that our group would be a complete representative of Jesus and that these kids and families will be blessed.