Look at this...another post--I know I am shocking myself!! These probably are not the best for promoting trips because they have been so honest and not glamorous at all. But then again--the only way I can do this is to be honest and open...I just want people to know that I am writing this to show my struggles, ask for prayer, be transparent, but also allow you to see how God is working in me and why I amazed and overwhelmed with joy on this journey.
Today Emily is leading a team to Haiti--and we will have posts, pictures, tweets, everything you can imagine of that. But I guess I am letting my blog be my little outlet again these days. :)
So--I leave for Africa in less than 2 weeks. I LOVE AFRICA. The people, the culture, the sunshine, the beauty, everything.. I love it! However, for some reason--every single time I look at this itinerary I get anxiety. I have led 3 long trips now and once we get to the destination location they are the same as the shorter trips..but with planning and travel and time changes to get there---it's exciting and fun but exhausting--there is more to remember, hotels to deal with, flights to catch, time away from home, and trying to keep it together and be bubbly while fighting jet lag--blaaaa. Not to worry--as participants--it's worth every single penny because not only are you getting to go and help--you get to go on a trip that you don't have to worry about a thing but dealing with jet lag.
So what is my itinerary and where are my words of encouragement?
Itinerary:
Nashville to NYC-Jan 16th (reunion dinners, meetings, and visiting friends.)
NYC to Zurich- Jan 18 (8 hour flight--leave at 6pm land at 8am)
Touring Day in Zurich- Jan 19th (stay at hotel -wake up at 5am on the 20th)--this is great because we get to experience another country on the way!!
Zurich to Dar es Salaam- Jan 20th (9:30 hour flight --leave at 9 am land in Dar at 9pm--and stopover in Kenya. Land in Dar--go to hotel and check in and..
Dar to Kigoma- Jan 21 --check out is at 4:15 am on the 21st to get on a plane to go to Mwanza and then get on another plane to go to Kigoma--and get there at 11:45 am---then distribution time!!
The next 5 days are pure bliss---worth every second--and makes my heart melt!!
Then coming back time.
Leave at lunch from Kigoma to Dar to Kenya to Zurich to NYC to Nashville!! all which will take 39 hours total.
Now every trip I have ever done (leading) like this turns me into a complete zombie/crazy person that can't think straight or make sense of anything for at least a week after I return. A pure joy to be around. Don't get me wrong--I love these trips--like LOVE THEM!! But the anxiety about my exhaustion and how I am going to deal with it has been bothering me a lot the past 2 days. But also in the last 2 days I have been reminded time and time again in very direct ways..God is in control. Some words from my devotional book today are great to remember:
"Sometimes the Lord leads us along these dark paths, where only a ray of light is seen, where the light casts a shadow of His presence within our view." -- I'm not depressed or in a dark path---This just shows--sometimes He allows us to travel hard, long routes to truly enjoy His blessings and presence when we arrive.
"--while the path is new and daunting to us, He never leads His sheep to place He has not already traveled. He is very much aware of the dangers. As a result, He is no longer out front leading the flock; He is beside them, assuring them of His protection and care. Remember, nothing concerns you, that does not concern Him." ----I will prepare and plan and everything will work out just fine just like always. I will get tired and have jet lag, but that part is fine----but I have been stressing myself out for something that has not even happened and letting my fears and anxiety ruin the excitement and joy I have about going and leading people to one of the most amazing places and playing with the most amazing children.
My prayer is that I allow myself to be in God's presence at all times, removing any anxiety that I might have.
I am praying for each of you that if you are stressed, worried, or even in a dark time in your life that you take these words and allow God to use them and comfort you.
Xoxo,
Katie Lentile
Today Emily is leading a team to Haiti--and we will have posts, pictures, tweets, everything you can imagine of that. But I guess I am letting my blog be my little outlet again these days. :)
So--I leave for Africa in less than 2 weeks. I LOVE AFRICA. The people, the culture, the sunshine, the beauty, everything.. I love it! However, for some reason--every single time I look at this itinerary I get anxiety. I have led 3 long trips now and once we get to the destination location they are the same as the shorter trips..but with planning and travel and time changes to get there---it's exciting and fun but exhausting--there is more to remember, hotels to deal with, flights to catch, time away from home, and trying to keep it together and be bubbly while fighting jet lag--blaaaa. Not to worry--as participants--it's worth every single penny because not only are you getting to go and help--you get to go on a trip that you don't have to worry about a thing but dealing with jet lag.
So what is my itinerary and where are my words of encouragement?
Itinerary:
Nashville to NYC-Jan 16th (reunion dinners, meetings, and visiting friends.)
NYC to Zurich- Jan 18 (8 hour flight--leave at 6pm land at 8am)
Touring Day in Zurich- Jan 19th (stay at hotel -wake up at 5am on the 20th)--this is great because we get to experience another country on the way!!
Zurich to Dar es Salaam- Jan 20th (9:30 hour flight --leave at 9 am land in Dar at 9pm--and stopover in Kenya. Land in Dar--go to hotel and check in and..
Dar to Kigoma- Jan 21 --check out is at 4:15 am on the 21st to get on a plane to go to Mwanza and then get on another plane to go to Kigoma--and get there at 11:45 am---then distribution time!!
The next 5 days are pure bliss---worth every second--and makes my heart melt!!
Then coming back time.
Leave at lunch from Kigoma to Dar to Kenya to Zurich to NYC to Nashville!! all which will take 39 hours total.
Now every trip I have ever done (leading) like this turns me into a complete zombie/crazy person that can't think straight or make sense of anything for at least a week after I return. A pure joy to be around. Don't get me wrong--I love these trips--like LOVE THEM!! But the anxiety about my exhaustion and how I am going to deal with it has been bothering me a lot the past 2 days. But also in the last 2 days I have been reminded time and time again in very direct ways..God is in control. Some words from my devotional book today are great to remember:
"Sometimes the Lord leads us along these dark paths, where only a ray of light is seen, where the light casts a shadow of His presence within our view." -- I'm not depressed or in a dark path---This just shows--sometimes He allows us to travel hard, long routes to truly enjoy His blessings and presence when we arrive.
"--while the path is new and daunting to us, He never leads His sheep to place He has not already traveled. He is very much aware of the dangers. As a result, He is no longer out front leading the flock; He is beside them, assuring them of His protection and care. Remember, nothing concerns you, that does not concern Him." ----I will prepare and plan and everything will work out just fine just like always. I will get tired and have jet lag, but that part is fine----but I have been stressing myself out for something that has not even happened and letting my fears and anxiety ruin the excitement and joy I have about going and leading people to one of the most amazing places and playing with the most amazing children.
My prayer is that I allow myself to be in God's presence at all times, removing any anxiety that I might have.
I am praying for each of you that if you are stressed, worried, or even in a dark time in your life that you take these words and allow God to use them and comfort you.
Xoxo,
Katie Lentile
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