the end is near, figuratively speaking of course

Today we were told that our Article 5 letter was complete. That is the last piece of paper until we get our Travel Approval. So we are literally near the end of this very long road. The next thing we’ll hear is China saying, “Come get him.” Well, they may use different words. Probably Chinese words.

This week we also had a travel conference call with our Gladney rep (named Gongzhan, not to be confused with Guangzhou or Guangdong which are places we’ll go) and 4 other families who will be traveling soon. It was 2.5 hours of telling us to pay in cash, don’t drink the water, bring a gift for the notary (huh?), and you’ll be staying at the swankiest hotels you’ve ever been to. The itinerary is that we’ll fly into Beijing (we think), go to Judd’s hometown to do 3 appointments over 4-5 days, then fly south to Guangzhou for 2 more appointments over 4-5 days, then fly home. In our spare time we’ll hang with Judd the stud, sightsee, and eat Chinese food. I hear they have authentic Chinese food there.

It’s weird at this point. I’m sitting squarely on the fence between being humbled and overwhelmed with the whole process. We’ve raised a ton of money. We’ve seen God work. We’ve been blown away by the generosity and support of our church family. And yet I still so easily can be overwhelmed and anxious. I think that much of it is that I’m staring down something much bigger than me. All we can do is to trust God. There is really no other option.

Good thing God isn’t phased by world travel, thousands of dollars and communist countries. Good thing God already has answers for our list of unknowns a mile long. Good thing God is works all things for our good. Good thing God is God in Hohhot, in Knoxville, and all points in between. Those are very good things.

We’ll keep you posted on what else is happening. We hope to get our TA in a few weeks and head to China in May. Next month. Did I just say that? Crazy to think the end of this long process is very near.