As I prepare for my second Zanzibar trip, I am equally excited and nervous.
Excited to see the people and the island again, excited to see what God has in store for us and the people of Zanzibar, excited to once again go off to a new place and tell them the good news.
I am, however, also nervous. Nervous, because I know God planned this trip way ahead. The team leaders have been thinking and praying about returning ever since they went to Zanzibar in June 2007. I have been thinking and praying about returning since my trip there in June 2008. I know that God has handpicked this team for a special purpose, but also that we are just one piece in the Zanzibar puzzle. God is working mightily on that Island in building His picture and setting the captives free. I am also a bit nervous to return and to go see what is left of what we started in June and what the Holy Spirit did while we were gone.
In final preparation I rest in God knowing that He chose us to go and bear lasting fruit (John 15:16), that He called us by name to go and proclaim the good news to the poor and release to the captives (Is 61:1), to open eyes that are blind and release those that sit in darkness (Is 42: 7).
Whatever awaits us in Zanzibar and Dar Es Salaam, God has planned and prepared. We only need to obey His directions.