Packed and ready

Just a quick update: I am packed and ready to go. Now for the hard part - saying goodbyes. It is only 14 weeks but that can feel like a long time when facing a trip like this. But then, it will also be over before any of us know it.

We start the first part of the trip at 8am in the morning - driving to Chicago. Thank you everyone for your prayers... and please keep praying.

Moving Day!

Many steps have been taken over the last few weeks, many things cleared and finished in preparation for departure. Money is already being sent to Ireland to secure the flat I will be staying in as well as a few other things. We also checked on what is needed for a visa and things are good on that front too (went through a bit of a scare for a moment). So everything is settled except for the actual packing...

In the mean time, I am moving - today! The lease on the apartment I am in expires on Monday, so we are moving my stuff out today and placing it into storage. It is hard packing for storage when I don't know for certain what will go to Ireland with me and what will stay behind, but progress is still being made.

The day is indeed coming closer, and the excitement is building. I have also been doing a lot of reading on the country and culture in preparation. I know I will learn a lot while I am there. Thank you for your prayers.

Dates Set

Flight tickets are purchased, insurance is purchased, details are being hammered out... This trip is becoming more and more a reality.

The official leave date will be on Friday, September 11th and I will be returning on Friday, December 18th. I will be flying out of Chicago O'Hare with a layover in London's Heathrow, then arrive in Cork, Ireland where I will meet up with the Scheleens. The return flight will be the exact opposite.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support. Please continue to pray because there is much to be done, and of course there is a ministry in Killarney that will have to put up with the likes of me!

Money is in!!!

Well, sort of.

I have been approved for a loan to cover the costs of the trip that was not able to come arrive through support quickly enough as well as cover the costs for my school credits applied to the internship. The only difficulty is the school will not receive the money till a few weeks into September, which means I will be leaving before the money has arrived. Provisions are in the works to ensure the money is disbursed correctly so there should be no problems.

So now the main issues for prayer surround logistics of planning and going. These include hammering down the precise date for which I'll be leaving, getting insurance set up, and moving out of my current apartment. It also includes figuring out what all I will need to take with me to Ireland and what will be left behind in storage.

But the important thing to note now is that the trip is happening. I am going. The excitement is starting to build as this trip seems more a reality now than ever.

So thank you everyone for your prayers and support. You can also still give towards the trip. Any access money from the loan that I may have will go straight back into paying off the loan.

Why?

Below is a video I was directed to recently that I highly recommend about mission work.

About CrossWorld

I thought I would take a minute to give some information on CrossWorld, the mission agency I will be traveling with since many of you have asked. The following comes from them:

History:

CrossWorld was founded as Unevangelized Fields Mission in 1931 with 36 missionaries serving in the Congo and Brazil. Today nearly 400 missionaries serve on 80 teams in 30 ministry areas of the world. We serve the church around the world by mobilizing temas to make disciples and train leaders.

Purpose Statement:

CrossWorld serves the church by mobilizing teams to make disciples and train leaders which will result in movements of reproducing churches among the unreached.

Core Values: We Worship, We Love, We Go

A note on giving

I want to thank those of you who have given or plan to give. (Personal notes of thanks are soon in coming). One thing I have forgotten to mention is that if you give online at through Crossworld's website with credit or debit, there is a 3% fee.

I apologize for this being tardy in coming, but I wanted to give you a heads up on this information.

If you would rather give by mailing a check, send it to:

CrossWorld

306 Bala Avenue
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

Just be sure to include my name on the memo line to ensure the gift goes toward my account.

Again, thank you so much for your prayers and support.