The Countdown has Begun!!!

I have a clock app on my iPad that allows me to countdown from now until a specific date/time in days, hours, minutes and seconds.  It's really cool to see it go down as the time passes and the set date/time gets closer.  The funny thing about countdowns is that you kind of need to have a set goal before you can count down. 

Webster's Dictionary defines Countdown as "an audible backward counting in fixed units (as seconds) from an arbitrary starting number to mark the time remaining before an event; also: preparations carried on during such a count"

OK, so it doesn't have to be audible ... the rest of the definition is great!

“And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.
- Psalm 39:7

What are we counting down to?  I am sure there are many things we are waiting for, but I am sure that we can't actually count down to all of them.  For some, we just wait without being able to count how long it will be, simply because we don't know.  Also, once that countdown is complete, there will be yet something else to wait for after that. The cycle will repeat itself as we wait for many things, until the Lord returns.  We do not know when the Lord is returning, but we wait, while the Lord knows and He counts down.  In the meantime, we can still be carrying out the required preparations ... actually, we must.  After all, don't we want to be found like the 5 wise virgins from Matthew 25?  This is the ultimate countdown.

My current coundown is to my departure for China.  I can actually count down because I purchased my first two one-way tickets!!!  I leave for China Thursday, July 12, 2012!!!!  I say "my first two" because they take me to Beijing and then Fenyang, and I will be purchasing many one-way tickets before I make it back to Rochester again in October.

What?  Is that right?  I will leave Rochester July 12 and I won't be back until October!?!?!?!?  Yup!  Actually, I will likely be going to Missouri and Mexico shortly after I get back too ... but those plans are still a bit far.

My itinerary (dates beyond 7/24 are tentative) is:

Travel from Rochester to Beijing                              7/12
Travel from Beijing to Taiyuan                                  7/13
Youth Camp                                                               7/13 - 7/18
Beijing Touring                                                           7/19 - 7/23
Additional In-China Travel                                        7/24 - 8/28
Travel to Bulgaria                                                    8/28
Travel to Italy                                                          10/2
Travel to Rochester                                                 10/9
Travel to Missouri                                                   10/18 - 10/19
Travel to Mexico                                                     10/25 - 10/27

At the Youth Camp, I will be sharing with a group of 15-year olds from Jmes.  I will also be bringing my travel guitar and playing some songs in English. I understand the area is not westernized, so the culture change will be quite noticeable.

I ask that you please pray during this time for:

1. That I would be able to complete all the preparations needed before the start of the trip.
2. Please pray for safe travels and provision, along with enduring and sleeping on the long flight (first 12 hr plane for me)
3. For organizers for the camp and the youth coming to the camp that their hearts would be ready
4. For leading and direction for the plans after 7/24.  For where I will go, who I will meet and what to do.
5. For wisdom on my return location (if I should visit Italy before returning to Rochester), as I need to finalize that part of my plans very shortly for insurance purposes.
6. That the Lord will lead my words at the youth camp and their hearts will be touched
7. That I would be able to handle the culture differences with grace as the Lord would have me.
8. For a team that might come to China 8/16 or so and if I should be meeting up with them.

Please feel free to print out these dates and prayer requests if you so choose.  I will also be putting together some bookmarks with prayer requests and the most up to date itinerary to help with how to best pray for me during this time.

So ... my coundown to my trip to China and the beginning of travels around the world is at 35 days, 16 hrs and 30 minutes ... (when I am writing this, but less when you read this)