Here we go!

Well, I'm off! After two years of dreaming and six months of planning and preparations, I am finally on my. I am writing this in the air as I fly to Chicago to transfer to Fort Wayne, Indiana. I will be picked up from the Fort Wayne airport and taken to the Experience Mission centre. 

As you can imagine, people have been asking me if I am excited for my trip. Truthfully, before last night I was not very excited. I was nervous and a little stressed and dare I say it, scared. For some reason this trip has been harder to leave for than my other trips, going to Costa Rica for Bible school or Thetis Island for Bible school. It got to the point that when I thought of leaving, my eyes started welling up with tears. It was a mixture of sadness and I think fear, but I didn't want to acknowledge to fear. Because why should I be afraid? I've traveled by myself before, I've been to Costa Rica before and I am familiar with the culture and food. And I love the language and staying with host families. So where was the fear coming from? Well, with the help of my Auntie Kim, Uncle Darrel and my mom, we came to the conclusion that it was the enemy. He was trying to mess this up for me, and what better way then to make me fearful. So that evening, they all came around me and prayed for me and spoke truth and life back into my head and my heart. After that prayer time, I felt so much better. Gone was the anxiety and uneasiness about going on this trip. They reminded me who my Father is and who I am. Christ is victorious and I can walk in that victory. I know that I am a child; a daughter of my Heavenly Father. I am not an orphan. I am loved, accepted and valued. I have a place; I belong. He provides for me and is my safety and security; He is my refuge. 

As people have been praying for me and speaking words and pictures over me there have been similar themes. Such as, this trip is not going to be what I expect; God will be surprising me. I also know that this will be a very spiritually important trip for me and Jesus. So, I guess I don't necessarily know what to expect, but I am eagerly anticipating whatever God has planned for me! 

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and your prayers! I would greatly appreciate both as the next three months go on. The best way to get a hold of me is by Facebook messaging me or emailing me jayda.hooge@gmail.com

Thank you!!!