Complete Perfection

In the Bible the number 7 represents perfection, or more accurately completion. In Hebrews we are told to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith". We usually think of the word perfect as an adjective, but here it is a noun. It is Jesus who will bring to completion or perfect our faith. Many Christians and non Christians consider the number seven to be 'lucky'. I am not superstitious nor do I depend on luck, but this week God showed our family how He is the completer and perfecter of our faith.

Many of you have joined is in praying for Rachel's trip to Africa with Heart for Africa. You have generously given money to make this trip possible and have prayed faithfully for all the aspects of the trip--most recently for the arrival of her passport. We applied for the passport 14 weeks ago, in late March when there was no discussion of a need to expedite said passport. So we waited, and waited, and waited. Then ten days ago we began calling the 800 number only to be put on hold for over an hour each call and then be told, "we have your application and will begin processing it soon". We even called our congressman who said we could start the process over and overnight the paperwork and funds to his office in Washington DC and we could get it in 5-7 business days, but we did not have an additional birth certificate! All of this to say it was truly in God's hands; we did all we could do and it was totally left to Him (as if that weren't the case anyway!!)

So, on Saturday-two days before she was scheduled to depart--on the 7th day, of the 7th month, in the 7th year God showed His perfection again and sent Rachel's passport via FedEx Saturday delivery!! Needless to say there was great rejoicing at the Munn home. We had already dug out the suitcases, filled one with clothes and shoes to leave in Africa, and packed the other one with most of what she would need. We wanted to be as ready as possible should the passport actually arrive.

I had already asked a few questions to Donna at Heart for Africa regarding, 'what if it doesn't come'? Even as I was asking, I kept thinking, "God I really believed it was Your will for Rachel to go on this trip--could it be I am not in tune with you on this?" It is amazing how the Enemy will try to make us doubt our faith or our relationship with our Heavenly Father. He cannot thwart God's will, but he can make us doubt ourselves.

The passport arrived about 11:00 am and we went straight to Walmart to finish getting the last minute Africa-specific supplies we needed--insect repellent with Deet, electrical outlet converter, etc. (We even found $1:00 folding umbrellas to send to the ladies in Africa!) It was a very exciting day and we went to bed exhausted.

Sunday morning I woke up with a terrible headache and could not stop crying. I think after all the anxiety of waiting for the passport I was more emotionally drained than I realized and the water works just poured. At any rate, by the evening I was all cried out and was ready as I could be to send her off. It is one thing to take your child to another continent; it is a whole new ball game to send her!

We all got up very early Monday morning and took Rachel to Donna's where she rode with several others to the airport. As I write this she is in the air on the final leg of the journey and should arrive in Nairobi at 3:10 pm Monday afternoon our time, which is 10:10 pm in Africa. She has called from each airport stop--Chicago and Brussels--and was so excited each time we spoke. I can really feel the faithful prayers of so many who have prayed for this trip and who are continuing to pray--thank you. I especially appreciate those of you who called or came by to specifically pray with Rachel. I am so grateful to hear all of what God is going to do in the next 9 days not only in the lives of the people in Kenya, but in the lives of the Munn's.

Thank you Jesus, for being our perfect Savior who always completes what You begin!