the night before we pack....

It is crazy to think that in 2 days we will be on a plane headed to Lebanon. We have prayed and dreamed for years and here we are. We have visited family... had many laughs... and lots of food and now all there is to do is finish packing. Tomorrow will be spent making sure we have everything we need (paricularly for Isaiah) and then Tuesday we are off.
As far as I know we will have internet at our apartment in Beirut so I will try to keep this blog updated as often as possible. We are so excited! and so exhausted! I think we will get more rest in Lebanon than we have the last two weeks! ( actually the last 2 months!)
With the excitement is also the realization that there will be difficulties. The travel will be long especially with a 5 month old. Also, even though Sean has been to the middle east neither of us has been to Lebanon... so we aren't quite sure what to expect. We are so thankful to our friends Mark & Leslie, Matt & Amanda, and Dr. and Mrs. Wright for preparing us as much as we can possibly be prepared without actually going there. Amanda has answered countless questions about traveling with a 5 month old overseas and Mrs. Wright has prepared me for the cultural differences I will encounter (particularly as a woman). Thank you so much!
Our prayer requests are many. First and foremost that the Lord would be glorified in all we do.... whether we eat or drink or whatever we do may it be done to the glory of God..
Pray that the Lord would use us to proclaim His Gospel and that He would save a people for Himself. Pray that we would die to ourselves.. that we would be humble and content in all situations. Pray that we would have joy in the midst of trials and that we would honor our Lord with that joy. Pray that he would spend us as He chooses for we are but wretches saved by grace! What a marvelous privledge He has given to us! Pray that we would stay humbled at the foot of the Cross looking only to our Lord for strength, health, discernment, courage, wisdom, and energy. Pray that not only the people of Lebanon, but that even our 5 month old would see the joy of salvation given only by Christ Jesus our Savior. Please pray that as a wife I would be a helper to my husband. Pray that I would not get discontent and be a discouragement to my husband. Please pray that the Lord would make me to be a prayer warrior as my husband goes out into places that Isaiah and I will not be able to go. Pray for our faith to be strengthened even in difficult situations knowing that God is our refuge and strongtower... in Him we will trust! And then praise Him.. for He is worthy! Can you imagine that He is sending me of all people! Who was once so lost and hopeless before He saved me! Oh how great a debtor! What sweet grace! What saving grace! Let that same saving grace move in Lebanon! Let that same saving grace move in every heart that reads this! What a mighty Savior... able to save the unworthy and make them His own! -jessica