Departure

This season. This season of a super short spring melding into an already-too-hot-summer has flown. Not every day; there are always those that stretch so long I feel as if time has stopped right when I'd prefer it not too. But the last two months have been packed with goodness and waiting and full life all rolled into one:

I attended a sewing night, organized by a sweet and talented church friend. We kicked off marathon registration (how is it time already?!) in mid-May and hosted the first Night Trail Run at Royalty Pecan Farms. A new favorite for sure; it was a blast. And then in the last three weeks... I've traveled to Dallas – partly for work but also to see good friends – and was reminded that I am surrounded by such good people near and far. I've traveled to Houston on a day trip to visit a Ghanaian Consulate. We successfully hosted our first live Art Auction online and were blessed by so many generous supporters. And I've traveled to Abilene for a quick weekend with the fam – time with my favorite two littles, exploring a downtown festival and spending time on the golf course.

Now it's departure day. Thankfully, last week/weekend was just hectic and frantic enough wrapping things up that I have had the morning to breathe. Even carved out a little "coffee break" before stuffing the camera equipment, snacks, and a few sets of clothes (essentials, in that order) in my carry-on bags. My days this week are already running together – which does not bode well for the next 10 – though losing track of time in Africa only aids the cultural transition. I'm not much for historical/political holiday celebration in general (don't shoot). [I do always find it ironic to be in Ghana over Independence Day; our last two group trips landed us there during that day and has changed my view of the way we celebrate and view freedom in America.] And so it never occurred to me until this morning that we're leaving for Ghana... on Juneteenth.

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society... Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. (via)

And yet there are more slaves in the world today (including the US) – an estimated 27 million – than at any other point in history. God, help us.

So we continue to go. We leave families and jobs and comfort and "easy" because we believe in freedom, and we believe that we cannot see the 27 million and turn a blind eye. One of the greatest lessons I've learned in working for Mercy Project is that we can easily be paralyzed by the magnitude of the problems, by the idea that a few average people cannot possibly make a dent in the brokenness for fear of failure. Or, we can choose to simply go and dive in because we are called to. Lucky for me, there are people who push me to "go" on the days it seems too overwhelming.

I love that this God I know is not a God of coincidence or happenstance. He is not idle or distant, and He finds ways to speak to us when we most try to keep Him at bay.

Our group trip crew of 9 embarks for Ghana this afternoon. I am anxious but cannot wait to share this week with fresh eyes and hearts who will meet the children on the lake for the first time. Not much is certain except that I am never left unfilled upon return. And for that, it is always worth it to "go".