Prayer Request for My Trip

There is one aspect of this trip I would love to ask you to join me in praying about.

That piece is my health.

More specifically, my ability to get into both Rwanda and Uganda without the yellow fever vaccination. This part of the trip has caused me the most stress. I have played the video reel of “what ifs” in my head over and over again. Yet, despite it God continues to call me forward asking me to trust him.

To give you a little more information. One of the multiple vaccinations that are required for travel in much (if not all) of Africa is yellow fever. Due to the medications I am on, and have been for many years, as well as my weakened immune system I cannot get this vaccination. When I went to Uganda I didn’t have the vaccine, and that was noted in my yellow card, but they never asked for it at the time of entering the country.

I have read and heard you can get doctor’s waivers for this vaccine which gave me peace, until recently. I have done some research which can be both beneficial and detrimental. I want to be smart and aware, but also know this can open the door wide open for fear to get in. As I have researched I have learned there is currently an outbreak of yellow fever in the country of Angola to the west of Rwanda and Uganda. Due to this outbreak, all countries seem to have increased their requirements for the vaccine. They are being more diligent about checking cards and making sure those entering their country have been vaccinated.

Of all of the vaccines I am required to get it happens to be the one I can’t get that has become a problem.

While I have wandered through bouts of deep fear I have also experienced anger through this. I have been mad that I have to battle this disease. While I am lucky in comparison to how Lupus (and hundreds of other diseases) have impacted people it has still caused me to be angry. I have been mad I can’t just travel with ease like “healthy” people. I have been mad I have to think about medications, vaccinations, exhaustion and sensitivity to the sun.

There was a time frame where I debated whether or not this meant I should go. Maybe it isn’t smart, but God has made it incredibly clear now is the time for me to go. He has surprised me with connections/opportunities and financial provisions I never would have imagined happening. He pulled me closer and closer to Him throughout every step of this journey. Never have I felt Him telling me not to go. I have had Satan tell it to me, but he tells it to me through deep fear which I know isn’t a characteristic of God.

I also know I can’t stop because of the possibilities of what could happen! I at least have to try. I have read stories in the Bible, in various books, and heard them first hand of God doing absolutely incredible things where all looked hopeless. In fact, just the other day I read the story of Corrie Ten Boom smuggling a Bible into a concentration camp and how she basically became invisible to everyone around her allowing her in with the Bible. Granted my circumstance aren’t on that level, but it shows what God can do.

I debated about sharing all of this publicly, because well it is risky. I think Satan was just trying to make me live in this fear alone. He doesn’t want us to ask for help, especially when the ask is to pray. Not only did I want to share it to ask you to pray, but also because I think it can be powerful to share our struggles with others. I want to invite you into this journey with me as much as possible so that you can also celebrate with me when God does do amazing things. I want to approach this yellow fever and health situation with faith God will show up not he might show up. He will show up! I know he will! It isn’t easy to approach it that way, but I am going to try my best. Maybe it will look different than I expect, but it doesn’t mean God isn’t doing something.

Another reason I wanted to share this struggle with you is in hope to encourage you to press into pursuing those dreams deep down inside you even when they look impossible. Satan will try a countless number of tactics to get us to quit or even to begin. He has told me lie after lie, including that God will abandon me in that airport/border crossing. Do not let Satan win. God is a God who is capable of more than our brains are even able to understand. Hold on to that and you will get to participate in one crazy journey!

Thank you for your support on this trip!! Your prayers mean a great deal to me. I visit my travel doctor next week and my mind has ran through all sorts of negative possibilities occurring there. Prayers for that would be great. God is up to something on this journey and I will continue to fight for His Kingdom to come not only in my life but those who are participating in this journey with me. Thank you!

“God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not my pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.”

~Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)

A excerpt from Corrie Ten Boom's book Tramp for the Lord I found interesting:

"The war had only been over a short time, and many Europeans wanted to go to America. However, few, if any, wanted to go for the same reason I did -to carry the Gospel as a missionary to the Americans. For all of us, however, it was the same story when we applied for passage to America: 'It is impossible to obtain papers.' I prayed, 'Lord, if it is Your will that I go to America, then You must provide the necessary papers.' I soon discovered that man's importunity is God's opportunity. He uses our problems as building materials for His miracles. I began to understand that this was my first lesson in learning to trust Him completely, my first steps on the path to complete dependence on, and, obedience to, His guidance. How much I had to learn!"

Ten Boom, Corrie. Tramp for the Lord. New York. Pillar. 1976. Print

#rwanda #lupus #fear