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"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14
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My furlough is now coming to an end and I will be returning to Nigeria on June 2. I thought I had a long time to be home at the beginning, but now that I am at the end, it seems to have gone by in a flash. I am so thankful for all the people who have invited me into their homes for meals or to stay the night, encouraged me with thoughtful words and prayers, and set up opportunities for me to speak in their Sunday School classes and Bible study  groups. You all have been such a great blessing. It is a wonderful experience for me to come home and reconnect with my supporting churches and friends and see what is happening in their lives. No matter how hard you try, it is difficult to stay connected when you live on the other side of the ocean. But I will not give up making the effort and I hope you will not either, so we can continue to be a part of each others lives.
I visited and spoke at five of my supporting churches along with many Sunday School classes and small groups associated with those churches. I want to say thank you to everyone who made donations towards my support and ministry projects. I am still a little low in monthly support but with new monthly supporters and all the one-time donations added in, I have met the required support and have been approved to return to Nigeria. If you are still planning to make a donation or want to set up monthly support click HERE.
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Many people have asked, "Are you ready to return to Nigeria?" "How are you feeling?" It is hard to answer that question or even put it into words, with all the emotions I am feeling. I am still floating in the middle of not wanting to say goodbye to one life and not ready to say hello to the other life. Transition is not easy, no matter how many times you go through it. It is now two weeks until time to return to Nigeria. I rush to see friends for the last time, buy the last remaining supplies and pack my bags. All of this is happening while I am riding the emotional roller coaster between sadness at leaving my family and friends here in America and anticipation of returning to ministry and friends in Nigeria.
The time will come to head for the airport and go through the hustle of getting all my big heavy bags checked in, saying goodbye to my family and then progressing to the long security check in line. Then I will be swept into the hustle and bustle of the airport with people rushing in different directions to catch their flights. I will pass the time reading a book or people watching, wondering where people are going and what is their story, until my flight is called to board. I am buckled up and the engines roar as the plane lifts off the ground and into the air. I stare out the window and watch as the city disappears and the plane is engulfed by the clouds. The journey has begun, leaving the American life behind and preparing for the Nigerian life ahead. I settle in for the long journey to Germany and onto Nigeria that will take about twenty four hours. As I relax in my seat and peer out the window, seeing only white clouds or darkness, my mind begins a time of transition-closing the door on the life left behind and opening the door to the life ahead. Images of Nigeria flash before my eyes, as I think of my Nigerian friends, the patients at Healing Touch Clinic, and the teenage girls. Thoughts of setting my house back in order, new ideas for burn seminars and the plan in progress for building the new Girl's Transition House. That time in the air is the transition time that helps me focus my mind on what is ahead. So when the captain says we are beginning our decent and the plane meets the long runway, I am looking forward to all the happy greetings and prepared to get back to life in Nigeria.
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Praise:
- The support and encouragement from all the churches and supporters I visited.
- Donations given by so many people for the Healing Touch Clinic and the Girl's Transition House.
- Opportunities to share about the ministry in Nigeria with many new people.
- All the people who helped me gather materials for my fire safety seminars with adults/children and for the Healing Touch Clinic.
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for me as I pack and make preparations for my return to the mission field.
- Pray for a safe flight to Germany and on to Nigeria.
- Pray for a good transition back to Nigeria, as I set my house back in order and begin ministry.
- Pray for Nigeria as it is struggling with a drop in currency and petrol strikes.
- Pray for continued opportunities to help burn patients both physically and spiritually through the Healing Touch Pressure Garment Clinic.
- Pray for the girl's ministry, as we are buying land and making preparations to build a new building to expand our Girl's Transition House.
Gay Lynn
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