ONE WEEK! (the lack of) Agenda

This time a week from today exactly we will be departing for Africa!  We all have a very busy week ahead of us - running around Nashville buying packing supplies, gathering materials and clothes for the women, men, and children there, planning activities for the children, buying and deflating soccer balls, not to mention the regular life stuff such as jobs and seeing people before we leave.  In a society that values "busyness" - where, in a sense, saying "I am soo busy. I have so much to do" often gets touted around as if a badge of importance, this week I really want to not fall into the trap of the details and the rush to get things done.  My friend Brooke, who just came back from traveling in Ethiopia, said that in Africa, it was highlighted for her America's need and value of efficiency. This is in contrast to a life's pace that honors spending time with people, listening to stories at night, and gathering as a community.  The frenetic pace often set by an agenda gets discarded.  My hope is that I can incorporate this perspective and use this week to listen to what God is saying in preparing me for this journey.  Pray for our team to find moments to be still this week.

~Katie