Traveling Mercies

by Kelli Payne
Friday, August 15, 2008

The eight arrived at the airport at 4 am Friday morning, beginning a 30-hour pursuit to Ethiopia, Africa. The Vision of this trip began last December 2007. With hours of fundraising, organizing, fundraising, questioning and prayer – we were on a plane. Cheryl had a good word for us this day as we were waiting in the Chicago Airport for our flight to Frankfurt. She talked about three tools to help us understand and respond to our experiences in Africa. The three S’s – Serve, Surrender and Surprises. Look for opportunities to serve - each other and our host community in Ethiopia. Surrender to the outplay of the trip! Meaning, surrender to unexpected changes, group decisions and dynamics and ultimately, God's pulling and voice in our lives. In terms of surprises, expect them. We began our journey with a day before flight cancellation on our first flight out of Los Angeles. As I was complaining about needing to be to the airport at 6 am, I get an email saying we are rescheduled on a flight out of LAX at 6 am! Everything becomes relative when things or places or people change suddenly.

It’s hard to know what to expect from the next 10 days abroad or that it might be a good idea to even set expectations. I have never been to Africa and I wasn’t sure if I would get off the plane to malnutrition children, homeless and starving or a developing, vibrant and hopeful country. Being here for 3 days, the answer is both.

I believe not knowing is not only okay but also a great place to be when venturing into an unknown journey. I don’t know what I will see. I don’t know what I will realize or become. I do know that God has asked me to come to Africa to show me his children, his beauty, his earth. This “surrender” is challenging to my culture of calculation and control.

We flew from Los Angeles to Chicago to Frankfurt Germany. I’d love to share I had a divine appointment with the person sitting next to me on the flight. But the reality was an older man changed seats and sat next to me. I really wanted to sit by myself, listen to music, read, pray, introspect, etc. As my space was interrupted I felt myself judgmental and annoyed at this man. Imagine, my comfort and doings frustrated by an unexpected change in my plans? This challenge was a foretelling start to my 10 day journey and perhaps a different understanding of divine appointment.