I'm sitting here in amazement while counting months on my fingers. I'm just realizing that it's already been 7 months since I returned from my last trip to South Africa. So much happened on the trip that every night I found myself lying in bed asking God "what are you up to?"  There were moments that I was in such awe I was speechless. Upon returning home and having time to reflect on all that happened, it became crystal clear to me that I was in fact on the right path. While there is still much that I don't understand, I feel at peace that whatever lies ahead, God will direct my steps.

The last 7 months have been filled with collecting, sorting, inventorying and repacking medical supplies for Zimbabwe. In a few weeks I will be reunited with them in Harare. I'm looking forward to seeing the impact they will make for people desperate for health care. Between days at the warehouse, I worked on the African edition of "Saving Zimbabwe" which has been English-ized for the metric measuring world! In a week, I will begin to run the gauntlet of media interviews as we try and introduce this amazing story to a wider audience. I feel conflicted inside as on the one hand I'm hopeful that the story of the people of The Community of Reconciliation will bring inspiration and hope to Africa. On the other hand, I'm worried that in these interviews I won't do this story or these amazing people justice. If God's grace is perfected in our weakness, I'm going to need an extra large portion of grace.

If grace can be embodied in a person, it would be my wife Elizabeth. Not only is she a deeply kind and caring person, she's a wonderful traveling partner and keeps me focused in the surrounding chaos. Tomorrow's her birthday and she's going to spend it with me traveling to Amsterdam on the first leg of our journey. I'm going to try and find some cake and ice cream somewhere along the way so we can celebrate together. Elizabeth has never been to Africa so this will be quite an adventure for her. While I'm excited to show her around, I'm a bit worried. She has a very tender heart for children and I just know that after she visits a few orphanages, it's going to be very difficult for her to get back on an airplane and return home.

I hope to keep all of you updated on a daily basis but remember, we are in Africa and one has to stay flexible. Some of the places I will be going don't have electricity and the internet, well as Elizabeth's mum keeps asking, "Where exactly is that?"