Jump

11:50 pm. I just closed the last page that I will read on the night before I go to Africa. What I find interesting is what the page was about. I had one more book that I knew had an illustration that I might want and told myself if everythng else got done I could read it. The story is a good one, if you are around you will likely hear me tell it someday (it's about the African Impala- if that doesn't get your attention what will?) but what is equally interesting to me is that the crux if the book is an exhortation to "jump" in faith into whatever God calls one to do.

As I sat in my bed and closed the book I said aloud, "well, that's it." My bags are packed, the itinerary for childcare is printed on 4 pages and bound in a notebook waiting for grandparents, my passport and immunization card are in my purse (in case I have to prove that I got the yellow fever vaccine) and my laptop and speaking notes are in my carry-on backpack. I guess all that is left to do is jump. The majority of what will happen in the next 14 days is now essentially out of my hands and I need to trust the one who has "the whole world" in his. It is time to jump.

OK, here is a hint: the African Impala is able to jump 13 feet in the air from standing still. It is also able to jump 30 feet forward. It can do this because it was made to. When it is time to jump, that little character can jump.

I hope all can see where this metaphor is going. At 6 feet tall, I have often disappointed hopeful sports fans who find that I never played basketball. It is because I cannot jump (in addition to being afraid of the ball and having an aversion to sweating). So, while I am no impala physically, I can still find my inner impala and leap ahead tomorrow.

The flight to Nariobi will be upwards of 8,200 miles. Jump, Kris.
Some 400 adolescents are waiting (some willingly I hope) in Kenya for Spiritual Emphasis Week, where I am the main speaker. Jump.
My beloved daughters are staying home and I don't even know if it will really work to Skype with them to check in. Jump.
It is quite possible that I will find a lack of Pepsi and ice at Rift Valley Academy. Jump, girl.
I could go on and on, but the readers may have already jumped out of this post - y'all get the picture.

If you pray, pray for my landing. And jump too.

Kris
PS: the impala story and Jump metaphor are borrowed from Efrrem Smith's book entitled, (you guessed it) "Jump"