Friday, May 14

Our team (Dr. Michael Brown, Daniel Brown, Corbin Arnette, Sara Arnette, Stephen Johnson, J.B. Pittman, Zeb Boykin, Gary Deese, Allyson Rice, Anthony Santilli, Marian Carr, Kaitlin Locklear, Hunter, Lawrence, and Ellen Jordan) met at DCS surrounded by family, faculty and friends for prayers, hugs, and a great send-off. Many brave warriors boarded the hot bus in 90 degrees and the others road with Ellen in the car. We arrived in Charlotte about 8 o'clock and had dinner at Chili's with Stefany and Alex. After a humor-filled meal - complete with Lawrence's reenactment of seagulls on a dock - birthday shakes - and an interesting encounter with a couple in the parking lot where Lawrence (encouraged by Michael) offered a snorkle for air - and Hunter soliciting a cop's help - we headed to the Wingate Inn. Alex led the team in a devotion. The team is extremely excited! I wish I could effectively express the energy, anticipation, and thrill! Pray for us - wake up calls in the morning set for 5:30 a.m. - flight departure - 8:50 - to Houston - then to Belize. Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore I urge you brothers in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. The you may be able to test and approve what God's will is, His good pleasing and perfect will."