The first step...

Did you notice my blog name changed? from "Exploring the Call" to "Answering the Call"...yes, I have discerned that God is, indeed, calling me to serve His Kingdom in Africa!

There are many unanswered questions, but the main one "will you go?" I have answered with a resounding "Yes!"

...now for the preparation...

The first step (even before the jet lag is behind me!) is to attend the five day training / orientation conference with my sending agency Global Outreach International. So - here I am in friendly Tupelo, Mississippi!

I am staying at the Wingate Inn, which is also where the conference will be held this week. Wow! it's really a nice room...I think I will like it here.

And the best part? Hot coffee in the room...!

Let me say - I have received the warmest welcome imaginable ...

6 year old Taylor and her mom Helen and dad Freddy escorted me from the airport to the hotel. Freddy is one of the pastors at Hope Church here in Tupelo. When I could not find a cab he and his wife Helen offered to give me a lift ... and were even willing to put me up for the night if needed ... God is good, all the time!

I also experienced how good God is at the Atlanta airport...after a couple of hours 'alone' in the crowded Atlanta airport I began to feel lonely. Right about that time Gwenn, who had just sat next to me, noticed the book I was reading - Hannah Hurnard's "Mountains of Spices" - and struck up a conversation. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with her and a friend from England, both heading home to Phoenix after attending a conference in Atlanta. Soon Sid, also from Phoenix, joined in and I learned he is planning to buy a business and move his family to Atlanta. We quickly discovered we have something in common ... we are both about to embark on a new adventure - a major life change!

And I discovered something even more important - no matter where I am God is.