Departure

Our journey began at North Albany Community Church, where friends, family, and church members gathered to pray over our team before we left. We were truly humbled by the number of people who came to encourage us and cover us in prayer. It was a beautiful reminder that we are not traveling alone—we are being sent with the love and support of so many.

For those who haven't experienced long international flights, there's always a little uncertainty about how the journey will go. Our first flight, from Portland to New York (10:35 p.m. to 6:35 a.m.), was an overnight trip. Some of us tried to stay awake, while others managed to squeeze in a short nap.

After a seven-hour layover in New York, we boarded our next flight at 1:35 p.m. for the 14-hour journey to Kenya. That leg of the trip was definitely the hardest. Some passengers were too warm, others were freezing, and while a few people caught bits of sleep, no one was truly well-rested. By the time we finally arrived and our heads hit the pillow, many of us had been awake for nearly 40 hours.

Even through the exhaustion, God is good all the time. A good night's sleep worked wonders, and we woke up refreshed, grateful, and excited for all that God has in store for us in Kenya.