Go! My default position.

Do you know that one light switch that you always keep in the “on” position?  Maybe you put tape over it, or maybe you buy one of those metal switch guards.  Or maybe you want to be able to turn it off but the usual position of the switch is “On.”  For me it’s the porch light.  I pretty much always keep it on.

Around this time every year I am asked the same question:  “So, are you going back to Africa this summer?”  It’s not surprising.  Since 2007 I have been to Africa five times.  I have numerous relationships with people there, and I suppose it has become a defining part of my year.  For me, the “Swaziland Trip Switch” is set to the “Go” position, unless something prevents me (like that motorcycle accident I had in 2011).  And this year, unless I am prevented somehow, I plan to return again.  To that end, I ask you again for your prayers and support.

Much of the work that we will be doing is still in the planning stages.  We will once again distribute clothing, food, and medical supplies in the various villages where we have done so in the past.  We will also be holding free clinics in those villages.  I will also be reuniting with many friends I have made over the years.  This year we may be expanding our ministry into South Africa as well, I’ll let you know as I know more. You can follow my blog at:  http://comfortforswaziland.blogspot.com

Please pray for me as I prepare to go.  A few specific prayer requests are:

1)      End of the school year.  A colleague once described the end of the school year to a train wreck.  Lots of very frenetic activity followed by a sudden halt.  Thanks to snow days, I will be leaving for Africa the day after my last day of school. 

2)      Support raising.  I need to raise $3300 this year.  If you are willing to contribute, you may make a check out to Bridge Community Church with “M. Sander-Swaziland” in the memo line.  You can also donate online at www.swazilandrelief.org

3)      Traveling.  I don’t sleep well on planes and busses, and it is a long journey.

4)      Spiritual and emotional preparation.  Please pray for me as I make my preparations for the teaching and dramas/puppetry that I will be doing.  Also, my wife won’t be going this summer, so I will miss her.  Please pray for us as we are apart.

5)      Relationship building.  One of the most important aspects of Swaziland Relief is the building and maintaining of relationships in Swaziland.  They are difficult to maintain over the great distance.  Please pray that they will be renewed and refreshed.

6)      God first!  Lastly, please pray that I put God first in all things.  This isn’t “my” trip, it’s His work that I am privileged to be a part of.  Please pray I put my ego aside and seek His purposes.