Leavin' On A Jet Plane.....

Chappy left at 6:30am this morning to fly a total of 20 hours to Africa. The kids wrote notes to send with him, and Caleb gave him a little "extra something". Deep in Chap's suitcase, Caleb hid a black rubber snake, hoping to completely freak his dad out when he opens his bag in Africa and starts digging around. (Fifteen year old boys....what do you expect???) What Caleb doesn't know yet is Chappy found the snake when he decided to repack his bag at 1:00am this morning. I was already asleep, but was awakened by a large thud and a shriek (yes, a 51 year old man can shriek). The thud was Chappy throwing his suitcase across the bathroom floor in an effort to get rid of the snake he had just grabbed. Needless to say, it took me forever to get back to sleep, because I laughed for thirty minutes straight.

To return the favor, Chappy has hidden the snake in the shower to surprise Caleb this morning. I can hardly wait for the reaction.......I love our life!

Today, in the Hollis Homeschool, we are having "Africa Day" to celebrate Chap's trip. In addition to getting the map out and plotting his journey, we will talk about each stop he'll be making. To say part of his trip will be heartbreaking would be putting it far too mildly. I plan to journal his mission trip through the blog and hope he'll be able to send some pictures as well. I plan to share specific prayer requests over the next two weeks, and hope some of you will join in and pray for Africa with us!

Our dinner this evening will be West African Black Eye Peas and Rice with an African Banana Bake for dessert. Just in case any of you would like to pull out your pans and taste a bit of Africa with us, I will include the recipe below.

Father, I pray for safe travel for Chappy and the men of the Helping Hands Ministry team. Thank you for seeing ahead and preparing the way for them even now. Open their hearts, Father. Allow them to see the African people as you do....Your love for them, Your compassion for them, and Your desire to draw them to Yourself and save them. In turn, may the men minister through Your perfect love, reaching out to feed and provide shelter for those who are impoverished and needy, but ultimately, reaching out to fill the void in their hearts. I pray especially, Lord, for the orphan children they will visit. For the short time Chappy will be in contact with the orphans, allow your love to flow through him and be captured safely in their hearts. Supernaturally, I ask you to allow Chappy to be a daddy to the children during his time with them---may his open arms, bright smile and laughter be a tangible sign of your unending love for them. May You be honored and glorified through all that is accomplished! Praises to You, our Most High King......Creator and Sustainer of all life......our Savior.....Amen.

West African Black Eye Peas:

16 oz raw black eye peas
8 cups water
1/2 tsp Lawry's Seasoned Salt
1/8 cup canola oil or palm oil
1 onion
15 oz. can diced tomatoes or 2 fresh tomatoes
1 1/2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp paprika

Wash peas and boil on high for 15 minutes in a large pot. Add salt. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 1 hour stirring once halfway during cooking. Saute onion in cooking oil for 10 minutes, then add tomatoes and spices. Cook for an additional 10 minutes before adding to the black eyed peas. Serve with rice.

African Banana Bake:

5 medium bananas
1 tbsp. butter
1/3 cup orange juice
1 tbsp. lemon juice
3 tbsp. brown sugar, packed
2/3 cup shredded coconut

Cut each banana into fourths. Arrange in a greased 9 inch pie plate. Dot with butter and drizzle with orange and lemon juice. Sprinkle with brown sugar and coconut. Bake at 370 degrees until coconut is golden brown (10 minutes)