How did the disciples prepare?

I've been at a bit of a loss as to how we should prepare ourselves for a trip with this much spiritual weight.  Honestly, it feels a bit like preparing for a battle against an unknown adversary, or it's like asking me how to solve any math problem from 5th grade level on.

So I asked myself, how did Jesus and the disciples prepare for big moments?  (This would've been a good moment to be wearing a WWJD bracelet, Katie, we should acquire some of those) Almost every time, without fail, they went away to be alone and pray.  

Luke 5:16: "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."  

How often do we fail to prepare our hearts through prayer?  

One of my favorite quotes lately has been: "have you prayed about it as much as you've worried and complained about it?"  

The best and only answer to our worries, thoughts, preparation, and anxieties should be prayer.  We could study up on surgeries, read and research Nigeria, the muslim faith, the culture, and the history until we're exhausted, but will any of that prepare us like prayer will?  This isn't an excuse for us to be lazy and head out on our mission totally unprepared from a research standpoint, but it is so comforting to know that we don't have to have all the answers.  

Christ uses the weakest vessels at the toughest times in their lives to manifest His glory and His love.  If he needed a powerful ruler to carry out His plan, he wouldn't be God.  His power is perfected in our weaknesses.  My own power will not save people, Christ moving in their heart alone will save them.  My role is merely to plant seeds and guide them when their hearts are open to hear.  

2 Corinthians 12:9: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more glad about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may work through me.  

For the sake of time, I'll break it down.  

• Get away and pray.  Communication with God keeps you in tune with His almighty plan and keeps your heart and mind sensitive to the Holy Spirit's whispers.  Set aside serious time to do it (just give God your full attention, it doesn't have to be 45 minutes straight), and save the rifle shot prayers for random daytime moments.  
• Trust that God has all the answers, and it's ok if you don't. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight." - Proverbs 3: 5-6
• My desires and comfort matter very little.  I am part of the body of Christ, not the Savior of the world, and I alone can do only what Christ does through me.  No matter the struggle, Christ has been through worse, and I gladly put myself at the mercy of the one who saved me.  

18 days!  Be in prayer, everything else will work itself out.  

With great love, Kaitlyn and Katie.  

Philippians 4:19

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

I think I can safely speak for both of us when I say that I have been absolutely amazed at how God has provided for this trip. I shouldn't be shocked, God promises to do so over and over again. And yet with each email, text, and Facebook message my jaw drops, my skin tingles and I can't wipe the smile off my face for hours. I feel like God is really giving me the ability to proclaim Philippians 4:19 with full certainty. Seriously guys, I can't tell you how humbled we have been by your support...and even more humbled to know how you all have been praying for us throughout this process. Kaitlyn and I have been on our knees praying for this trip and doing just about everything we could think of to try and fund it...

Kaitlyn gave plasma a few times, it sounded like an interesting experience to say the least. 

Our garage sale was a HUGE success, thanks to everyone who donated and prayed.

Kaitlyn with our first sale.

So, after all of your prayer and donations, I think Kaitlyn and I can both officially say we are funded! If you still want to be a part of giving toward the trip, anything beyond what we will need for ourselves will go towards helping others on the team or buying more medical supplies. Again, words can't express how humbled and grateful we are for all of you. 

The Quartemont's are in the process of purchasing our tickets and finalizing details, so be praying for that! Tentatively, the team will be leaving the weekend of June 14 and returning around July 10th. I'll be working in a hospital in Lagos for a few weeks after that and returning late July. We'll post the final details when we get them. In the mean time, please be praying everything will fall into place and that the team will be able to spend the next month really drawing near to Christ and preparing for this amazing opportunity. 

We love you guys,

Katie and Kaitlyn