Today, a few students from Awestar are coming to our home, just to spend time with us. I cannot tell you how much this means to us. Flying and driving from different U.S. cities, just to hang out, share and encourage each other.

As I've thought about it, I am struck at what it cost for this to happen.

There are parents footing the bill for many of these trips. We are so greatful for this provision. It is one thing to send your child overseas for missions work, but quite another to send them to the home of someone you don't know, for what appears to be frivolous reasons.

They are not frivolous to us! Each of these students have made sacrifices to serve the King. We look forward to times of discussion about our Savior, how He is working in each of our lives, times of worship, times of tears, and times of laughter. This, I believe is all a part of God's design for the healing each of us need to experience.

We know for the most part who will be here, and are very excited. However, one person wants it to be a surprise. I am heading to the airport today to pick up someone... someone I hope I recognize, someone I hope recognizes me. When you don't know who is coming, all sorts of things run through your mind. Especially being at an airport with hundreds of people. How will I know which one?

I think this is very much the way it was when I met Jesus. I had never seen Him. I only knew of Him through what I had read, and the stories from others. In a sea of many people, amid so much pain and ugliness (inside of me), when I was in so much need, I met a man who was also God. He gave His all, that I might have life, that I might learn to die, to bring Him glory.

When I met Him, I knew it was right. I knew it was what I had been looking for. There was completion in my soul I had never experienced.

Today, at around 1:30, I will go stand by a revolving luggage conveyor, and wait to see who comes. I know the surprise will bless my girls and me. I cannot wait!

Please pray for my friend Kristin D. who was to come, but as many of you have read in the last couple of days, she is experiencing undiagnosed symptoms, and cannot risk the trip. Kristin, we will miss you so much. We love you!

For the rest of the Awestar family, we have thought of each and every one of you as we try to figure out who our surprise is. For those moments at least, you are here with us, and we appreciate your presence!

If you have never been on a mission trip overseas, please allow me to encourage you to do so as soon as you can. Seek the Lord first, but know there is something amazing that He does within you, when you are obedient to His call. He changes you in all the right ways, even if it hurts. A heart for missions is what we should each be about. Each of us should either be going or helping to make it possible for others to go.

"Will you go? Will you answer the call and get uncomfortable for Christ?"

dad