Far from home, yet still not alone

This summer I am going to Namibia. After much thought and prayer, I decided the best way for me to spend three weeks of my summer would be caring for animals on a small farm in southern Africa. While the thought and anticipation of going to Africa has brought me great joy, it has also been a source of stress and worry.

I have never traveled outside of North America before. I'm probably one of the few Americans to take a trip to Africa before going to Europe, but it's what seemed right to me. To me the scariest part of my trip seems like it will be the traveling. I'm leaving for Africa on a Monday, and arriving Wednesday. The thought of navigating foreign airports, customs, etc. terrifies me. God knows what he is doing though.

Yesterday, as I was fretting over travel arrangements, I noticed I had a new email from a school acquaintance. She had overheard me talking about my summer trip with a mutual friend and thought it sounded incredible (because believe me, it does.) She did some research online, talked with her parents, contacted the company, and finally emailed me. She asked if it would be okay if she joined me on my adventure.

I can't begin to tell you the relief I felt knowing that someone else would be going with me to Namibia! I immediately pictured us sitting together as we waited for that last connection that would take us into Namibia, laughing as we went the wrong way in a South African airport or sharing clothes when one of our suitcases got lost. The comfort that comes with knowing you have a companion is one that can't easily be matched.

That's when I knew that God was at work in my life. I had been praying daily about the stress I was feeling in what I wanted to be a completely joyful experience. I didn't know how that stress could be alleviated, and I didn't ask God to work in any particular way in my life. I just asked that God bring peace into my heart in whatever way God saw best.

God did just what I wanted, in a way I could have never imagined. I know that this trip will produce memories to last a lifetime, pictures I couldn't take anywhere else, and now a friend with whom I will share the bond of Africa, which I am sure will be like no other.