#1 PC to Pakistan

Our first task in approaching

another people

another culture

another religion

is to take off our shoes

for the place we are

approaching is holy.

Else we may find ourselves

treading on another’s dream.

More serious still,

we may forget

that God

was there before our arrival

~ Author Unknown

I wanted to begin this journey with one of my all time favorite quotes... it's written on a piece of paper that lives on the cluttered mantel above the fireplace in our home. We often go into other cultures with some grand idea of what we might do for "them".... that they might need us...... but I've discovered after making a fool of myself a few times in Honduras that it becomes "them" that show me the way.... that the things I learn from others (no matter what their religious beliefs or traditions) are far and away more valuable than anything I could possibly "do". I've been asked many times before this trip about what we're going to "do".... I struggled to answer that questions and today it just came to me in a way that made sense for me... I'm just coming to listen, to smile, and to try my best to understand..... just simply to learn.

For those of you who have "cyber traveled" with me before... this is a very different kind of a trip, more than just an adventurous vacation. My interpretation of our goal is to observe, become friends, to learn what God is doing with the Christians and the Muslims in and around Lahore, Pakistan. Reminds me so strongly of the verse that our incredible pastor, Loli, used as the theme of her sermon right before we left.... From Micah if I remember correctly..... is basically says... What does our Lord require of us? To do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God.... that seems like a pretty fantastic theme for our time on the other side of the world! Mmmmmm, guess that's a pretty fantastic theme for our time on this side of the world too! :-)

Also, before I get too far into this ramble, I want to confess that I am feeling a good bit intimidated by the fact that there will be college professors and real writers (that have even published books!) and theologians and pastors and all sorts of very, very smart folks reading my babble!! So just realize that I write like I talk.... fairly randomly! If ever you get sick and tired of me going on and on, all you have to do is push delete and it wont hurt my feelings a bit.. in fact, I wont even know it!

So, here we are! Left Plant City about noon time today and drove to Orlando, then on to NYC (2 hr and 45 minute flight) where we are right now.... It's about 9 pm and our flight leaves at 11 pm.... Then the very strangest thing happens!!! We just lose a day or maybe two!! Here's the deal, we leave here on Feb 9th and arrive in Lahore on Feb 11th! Of course, for me this doesn't even make good sense! Actually I'm a little annoyed because I feel like our time is cut short!! Plus on the way back it sure doesn't seem like we slow down and add a day or two..... who knows... guess all I really need to know is that I'm getting on the plane and when I get there, there I'll be!

So the flight from here to Dubai is 12 hrs and 30 minutes.. then we change planes and fly to Lahore which is another 3 hours... So roughly 18 hours of air time.. not including the sitting around waiting time!

We are traveling with a group from Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.. they are Gaylen, Allie, Jennifer, Staci, Tom and Dave. We've only met each other one time before so it should be a good time getting to know them as well! Our leader in Pakistan is Cheryl Burke who is the Dean of Students at Forman Christian College. So now if I can just remember to do what I said in that first paragraph which is to "LISTEN".. for those of you who know me, you know that's not always easy!

Special shout out to our friends at Florida Presbyterian Homes in Lakeland, Florida.. They are the inspiration for this trip..... there are four or five retired missionaries to Pakistan who live there and it's their stories that have inspired John and me to go. All the residents there are very special to John and to me!

Another special shout out to our grand children, Alivia Sage and Wellington.... the light of our lives!! And to our children that are all grown up - Maggie, Kysha and Jonathan. We love you all SO very much!

One more special shout out to my parents.... they are the ultimate travelers and are the ones who have inspired me in hundreds of ways... it is because they have taught me to go and explore that we began these journey's at all.. without them, I'd be home watching Oprah and eating bonbons! ;-) The only thing that would make this trip better would be to have the two of them with us! So here's to you Poppa and Grandmama!!! LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

Ok.. I could get carried away with the shout outs!

We've got about 130 people traveling with us via email so if you hear of someone who has accidentally gotten left off the list, please, please, please let me know and I'll add them right away! I've tried to be so very careful to get everyone straight but the old brain sometimes works better than others!!

See you on the other side of the world!!!

Blessings to each of you and many thanks for your many kindnesses and prayers!