Well, I am going to say good-bye right here, right now. I just got back from the Middle School Mission trip that is taking place right now as I type this, in South Bethlehem, PA until this Wednesday, July 23. I was only able to take part of the mission trip yesterday and today. I have to admit, I was kind of feeling like I shouldn’t be there and that I don’t know what to do—but God opened up to me today and I started to feel that I didn’t want to leave the mission trip for the middle schoolers of FPC. I felt that I finally started to develop relationships with everyone, and it was sad to say good-bye.

Tonight we talked about real forgiveness and just cleansing our hearts. What a relief it is to confess what I have on my heart to just prepare myself into going to Rwanda this Wednesday. But I think what was really comforting was the fact that I had these amazing middle schoolers gathering around me and praying for this trip. It was the first time in my life that I’ve ever had so many people lay their hands on me and just pray. People are right, you do feel the weight of everyone pressing against you, but in a strange spiritual way. I do not feel scared or anxious to enter into the foreign country—but I feel like I am supposed to be there and that I am going out of God’s will. One of the interns, Carly, prayed a prayer that I think that will stick in my mind “break Amanda’s heart…”. So tonight I opened up my Bible and found a passage in Psalm 51 which is based around forgiveness and so much more:
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and concrete heart, O God…. (Psalm 51:17)
I guess that part just stuck out for me. 

Tomorrow I am declaring it my official day for packing, relaxing, and doing last minute store runs. Thank you all for supporting, praying, and sending me kind words along the way. I think that when Wednesday hits, I will start to feel the reality of actually going to Rwanda.

I am excited to see what God has in store for this trip. I plan on bringing my laptop along and keeping this blog updated as frequently as I can. Keep me in your prayers.

Love,
Amanda