I meant to go to Uganda today.
I have a plane ticket… and I came to Atlanta to meet up with the team yesterday… and I’ve been packing and preparing my stuff and my heart for a good long time now.
But sometimes all that preparation isn’t quite enough to get you where you need to go.
The anticipation was thick as we gathered together with heaps of bags and 8 giant plastic tubs to take with us to our dear friends at Sole Hope. The flight was leaving at 6pm.
At 4 we were checking in…I went first.
“I’m sorry ma’m. Your passport isn’t valid.”
“Yes it is…it doesn’t expire until July.”
“Well to enter Uganda, your passport has to be valid at least 6 months past the travel dates. It’s different for different countries, but your travel agent should have told you that.”
“She didn’t.”
“Well then, I’m sorry. We cannot issue your ticket.”
Silence. Numbness coursed through my entire body. A fist sized lump gathered in my throat and hot tears streamed down my face as I looked at my whole team in line with me.
They all heard it. Everyone was silent.
And then they all jumped in to encourage, “It’s ok…we’re gonna figure this out…I’m sure it’s going to be fine. We’ll just call a couple people and figure out what to do. It’s going to be ok…we’ll just work this out right quick.”
But I knew. They were going to get in the security line 10 minutes from now, and I wasn’t. I wasn’t going to be getting on that plane today.
My heart shattered in a million pieces and then I heard the Lord say, “Be brave. Trust me. Keep following me hard and know that what I have for you is good.”
Wynne started making phone calls. I called my friend Alexis who works in the airport. Cara, Carey, Melissa, Mo, Molly, and Erika gathered around me and prayed. What else could we do?
I stood in line to talk to another ticketing agent to figure out next steps. Holly from Sole Hope got on the phone with the passport office. Alexis started talking to the travel agent…and I blew a kiss to the whole team as they walked away into the journey we’ve all been waiting for.
I hope I get to join them. Because my heart just took off for Africa on a plane 3 hours ago with a group of women I just met and already love.
And I’m sitting here a little stunned, but still pretty hopeful. But I’m just gonna ask you to pray with me and for me as we figure this out.
So here are the logistics of what has happened, and what I want you to know should you EVER travel internationally. First of all…don’t ever try to go anywhere with less than 6 months before your passport expires. I don’t know why there is an expiration date at all if basically I just got dealt with as if it were expired, but just trust me on this one…keep it SUPER current.
I have a flight that has been rebooked for Wednesday night…it wasn’t cheap to fix that, but the Lord provided a bit over my total amount needed in the first place, so it covered that. The passport office in the airport told us that they could overnight my passport and have it back by Wednesday morning, so we were going to go with that option. But then they ended up telling us once we were there that they couldn’t get it in afterall. So they called and made me an appointment with the Atlanta passport office for Thursday because that was the first available option. They said at least if I make an appointment that then the office will know I’ve made a good faith effort. But then they and the ticketing agents told me to just show up tomorrow when they open to the passport office in Atlanta and honestly, to just pray for favor that there will be someone kind who will help me. They can re-issue me a new one if so tomorrow and I can be on my way on Wednesday. So it comes down to the kindness of an agent and the favor of the Lord just hovering over every step of the way.
My heart just went to Uganda…and I am still in Atlanta.
But I think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and I find myself thinking…”But EVEN IF HE DOESN’T…I will still trust God, and I know that He is still so so good.”
I’m not even sure how to describe the feeling of standing there… stunned…like I was kicked in the gut and could hardly breathe. And watching my dear new friends walk away….fat, hot tears rolling down my numb cheeks.
Disappointment does not define the goodness of my God….no matter how great. So I am hopeful tonight that I will still go in 48 hours, but I am trusting enough to know that even if I don’t…my God is still good.
Know that the entire Sole Hope Team is crying and praying with you. Love to you!
Disappointment does not define the goodness of my God….no matter how great. So I am hopeful tonight that I will still go in 48 hours, but I am trusting enough to know that even if I don’t…my God is still good.
Crying for the hard of this all, and rejoicing over your faith… Love you so much sister. Our God is good. yes. You can bank on that.
Oh Logan I am so sorry! 🙁 You were not meant to get on that plane for some reason. I know that isn’t what you want to hear though. I never knew that about international traveling , the 6 month thing…….Hoping you get it all figured out. Be safe! xo
Logan! My heart breaks for you! Love your heart and am praying He will make a way where there seems to be none.
Oh Logan,
My heart is right with you. I am praying for God’s favor over you. Regardless of what happens, know that all things work out for good (Romans 8:28), even the inconveniences. There is always a lesson to be learned. May you find God’s peace and assurance that He is with you and that your heart is willing and ready – and that should be enough. Hugs!
Logan, you have so many people praying for you right now! I’ve been a ball of nerves just waiting for the update…and at the same time am excited about the journey He has planned for you since you have an huge group of people lifting you up! Huge hugs. Eucharisteo.
Praying with you and for you now! My heart hurts with you for this obstacle you never asked for. But asking God to show you his love and faithfulness in a new way through this trial.
I’m praying! That stinks. God knows. I’m praying!
“and I find myself thinking…”But EVEN IF HE DOESN’T…I will still trust God, and I know that He is still so so good.””
Oh Dear One…thank you for being the Living and breathing testimony of Jesus here and now. For standing as a wounded and faithful example to the One we serve.
I am praying that you will catch up with your heart very soon..and that in the meantime, you can bear witness to all these “extra” people you will encounter along the way until then. I will pray for the strangers you will meet on the plane instead of being seated next to the ones you already know…and for the one on one time you’ll now have to prepare your heart for the journey.
This is so hard…and God is so good.
Oh Logan. I’m so sorry. Trusting with you in the sovereignty of our great God, celebrating that He is in complete control, and begging His graciousness to allow you to see, one day, the why behind it all. Until then, I am praying for you, for the Atlanta passport agency, and the agent you will meet. My parents were in a jam before a trip a few years ago, and the San Diego location was AMAZINGLY helpful, and they walked out of there that day with renewed passports in hand, after only a few hours. May your heart really know tonight that God is still good and you are still loved. And I can’t wait to see all God is going to do through you. Sending so much love…xo!!
Praying for you. My husband and I were set to go to Serbia a few years ago on a mission trip. We said goodbye to our kids and left them in my mom’s care. We got to the airport and were so excited. The lady at the desk said there had been a storm in Chicago, where our layover was, and our flight was delayed. No big deal, we went to breakfast and waited. We waited most of the day at the airport until finally they told us our flight was rescheduled for the following day. It was so disappointing and we had to go back home. I know it’s not the same as seeing others leave when you have to stay, but I wanted you to know that God worked out all the details. We said goodbye again the following morning and off we went. Our flights along the way kept getting delayed and we ended up making the trip in about 34 hours. It was miserable, but God had a plan. The entire trip was amazing and I’ll never forget it. We arrived later than expected, but when we got there we saw the hand of God move in a mighty way! Don’t lose hope! You will fulfill God’s purpose for you in this mission, whether you go this week or at a later time. I know it still hurts and my heart hurts for you. I am praying for you.
Blessings!
Remembering my earlier prayer for you, friend:
“May you let God carry the details and rest these next few days in his perfect love for you.”
His love for you has not changed. I will continue to pray his presence over you and all those pesky details, sweet girl.
Praying for you, Logan, as you have requested for the Lord’s favor and for His perfect timing in all of this. There is no doubt in my mind that your faith in Jesus will be evident and shine through to those who need His love and His hope tomorrow and on Wednesday. I pray that you continue to walk in faith, trusting the Lord for His perfect provisions – no matter what form they take – because mountains move with just that tiny bit of faith in Him; after all, He that created the mountain can most certainly move it wherever it needs to be moved from and needs to be moved to.
God bless you with good rest, divine conversations and amazing travels.
Logan, that sounds so hard. It happened to one of our team of volunteers when we went to East Timor. Somehow I managed to get the guy an email from the Ambassador of Timor Leste in Australia to the airport staff and to the customs and airport staff at the other end. It worked – but it was close. It does all work out how it is supposed to in the end – who knows why you just weren’t meant to be on that flight. Maybe it is just so more people have heard your story and heard about what you are doing? Good luck.
I am so sorry this happened. I am praying and believing for God’s favor and that He will make a way. Hugs!
Logan,
What a heartbreaking story that gives full testimony to faith in action. KNOWING God is good, that HIS promises for you remain, that whatever happens or doesn’t, though disappointing, is for our GOOD.
So many times we declare Gid’s goodness when all is GOOD in our world. To declare His goodness when we are left standing with hot fat tears of disappointment is to KNOW the true character of God and to have true faith. True faith moves mountains. I’m believing with you in God’s provision, wisdom and goodness.
I was just in Jinja, Uganda about a month ago working at an orphanage. Loved the kids so much! I miss them with everything i got. I will pray for you. This has to be so hard. I know God has great things in store for you in His story presently and your time in Africa. Blessings!
Tears and Prayers for you… your post was an inspiration!!!
It’s weird, but going through so much disappointing news throughout our adoption, I totally understand how you felt and could picture how you described yourself here before I read it. Because of my own experience with such disappointment, it compelled me to pray, not blindly, but knowingly. Knowing how you felt and how hard it is to try and understand why things like this happen.
Even yesterday, we received more disappointing news of our adoption, but we are still hopeful. We are still clinging to the promise of God–we know He will bring them home. And when I saw your happy news this morning, I squealed with delight! I love you, friend and I am so happy you’ll be joining your crew soon! xo
I am praying and believing that God has great plans and will show His sovereignty… Praying His Word in Matthew 21:21-22 over you…that You have Faith and do not doubt so you can say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea; it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.’ Lord we pray you work out this snag for good and that Logan can be a witness for your graciousness, goodness and power.
Oh my….I didn’t even know that was something possible to have happen with your passport.
Praying that things get worked out quickly and that through it all you have peace in your heart.
Praise God for renewed passports! Praying you on the flight tonight or tomorrow – whichever God has a divine appointment for you to be. He knows where he needs you and all you have to do is show up and be obedient. I think there is a special blessing in this. Just imagine how blessed that passport office became when God showed up there this morning. 🙂
wow—
Disappointment does not define the goodness of my God….no matter how great. So I am hopeful tonight that I will still go in 48 hours, but I am trusting enough to know that even if I don’t…my God is still good.
wow!
i’m praying here on thursday morning…from atlanta…that i’m going to refresh this blog post & see a recent post and that you are on your way….