One Week

Dear Family & Friends,

THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN
Just a week now before I fly for South Africa. HERE WE GO!!!I have to admit the pace of my heart has quickened as the time has gotten closer. This feels like a significant intersection for me. I often think of it in terms of my bungee jumping experience. The scariest part is just before you jump, after that it becomes an experience you never forget. It's funny that I think of myself as taking such a big risk, yet I forget there is One is who risks even greater, both with me and on me. This is really humbling and gives me greater courage to jump into the unknown. It is His perfect love that displaces my fear.
These past 2 weeks have been incredibly busy, between packing, planning, moving my things into my friend Noah's basement, running errands, buying things like shampoo, soap, and tooth paste. All adding to the quick pace of my heart. Along with the wide range of emotions that come along with packing your life into a couple of boxes and a suit case and saying bye to friends.
Since I'll be in South Africa for 3 months every moment of every day is not necessarily scheduled. There are some "unknowns". But the instead of fearing the unknowns, I must allow God the freedom to fill those places with Himself and not my fear. The "unknowns" are an opportunity. This is more than a mission. It is a pilgrimage, and I must take intentional steps to see that. This isn't just a short term mission trip for me. It is a life investment. Africa has my heart and if something has your heart it has everything else. God is worth it and the royal people of Africa are worth it.

NOW SOME DETAILS: (please don't stop reading)
I will do my best to post blogs while I'm there. Email is spotty at best, so please be patient. I plan on posting everything from the flight there to food to projects. My heart is to eliminate as much disconnect as possible, especially for those of you who are curious as to what Africa is like. So be on the look out! And if you're curious about anything please let me know I'd be glad to post something on it. Please no requests for up close photos of lions or their teeth, as I will probably end up in their bellies.
Also, I'll be will be passing on a new American number to all of you, if you'd like to give me a call. It will ring to my South African phone without international charges. I'll also pass on my South African number if it's easier for you. Just remember I'm 7 hours ahead of the East Coast Time.
One last thing...if any of you are interested in contributing financially to me please send your checks to: YWAM Tyler, Attn: Accounting P.O Box 3000, Garden Valley, TX, 75771 USA. Just put a note in the envelope with my name on it. MY NAME CANNOT APPEAR ON THE CHECK AT ALL.
If you'd like to give to Ten Thousand Homes and our projects, please contact me directly.

THANK YOU:
I say it over and over, but THANK YOU! It means the world to me how much all of you have contributed to me and this mission. I could not and would not do this without all of you. Some of you have given finances, cameras(Dave & Karen), your pledges to pray, some all of the above, but most of all you've given me your friendship and that is priceless. Thanks for believing in me.

Your Friend,
Dave