Houston, we have a count down!

In less than 24 hours, I will be boarding a plane for Chiang Mai Thailand, my home for the next ten weeks! It's so hard to believe! It seems like just yesterday, I walked into my missions class for the first time, talking with my team about how Thailand seemed so far away and that I didn't know how I was going wait and go through a whole semester with the anticipation of our trip. Where did the time go?! It feels so surreal that it's already here! I could not be happier! 

It has been crazy getting ready to leave the country for the first time, but God is SO faithful guys! In the nine short days I had after getting back from school, God made a way for me to get a dentist, doctor, and eye doctor appointment all within four days of each other! There were cancellations at each of our different doctors that allowed me to get in with short notice. I was even fitted for contacts and after trying them out for the first time, was able to get a follow up appointment on the same day! It's not that bad sticking my finger on my eyeball. :) I ordered enough for 11 weeks and they already arrived by mail! WOW! God provided sales and discounts that I wasn't expecting at different stores for most of my big purchases and He also has provided some last minute funding that has helped me immensely! This past week and a half has been a whirlwind, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Today was spent running my last few errands, cleaning my room, purchasing some last minute things for the children at Agape Home, and hanging out with my siblings.  

I also checked the weather in Chiang Mai and it's supposed to be raining for the next ten days! Rain poncho, here I come! Tomorrow, I leave IAH at 12:55pm, boarding a flight for Dallas. At DFW airport, I meet up with my team (YAY!) where we will board another flight for London. After a 8 hour layover in London, we hop on yet another flight heading to Bangkok Thailand! From Bangkok we will board our final flight... detestation Chiang Mai Thailand!! There will be several other World Wide Witness teams on our fight out of Dallas, heading to their different destinations, so please keep us in your prayers as we travel!  

Keep checking back for updates, photos and videos! Thank you for all your love and support! 

Questions

There are two questions that many of you have asked in the past few weeks, so I thought it would be best to address them here. 

Q: Will you be able to receive funds even after you have left?

A: YES! If you feel lead to contribute after I have while I am in Thailand, May 24-August 7, you can make a check payable to NorthWest Bible Church, In the memo section print, "Elizabeth Lechmann -Thailand Mission Trip".

Send checks to:

NorthWest Bible Church

5503 Fellowship Lane

Spring, TX 77379

Q: What will you do with the funds if you exceed your goal? 

A: My team and I are going to put any leftover funds together and at the end of our trip, and will donate the money from our fund raising to, "Agape Children's Home". The orphanage  will use the funds to purchase food, clothing, educational supplies, and other necessities for the children.

Again, thank you so much for your generous gifts thus far! I am so thankful for YOU!    

Thank You!

I wanted to take a moment to express my deep gratitude to each and every one of you for your faithful support, not only in prayer, but financially was well. I have been blown away by God's provision through you. Your generous giving is what has enabled me to make this journey and has blessed and encouraged me immensely. I could never thank you enough! In the beginning, accumulating funds was my biggest concern, now I am only $600 away from my goal of $6,500. God has been so faithful and I have learned so much about trusting Him and relying on His timing through this experience. Words truly cannot express my gratitude and a mere "Thank you" just doesn't seem to make the cut. However, since I am merely human and void of profound words...thank you so very much! Although I may not be able to thank each of you face-to-face, I am determined to get all of the thank you notes composed and sent out before I leave, so be looking out for yours in the mail. :) 

May God Bless You Abundantly! 

          

Changes

I am thrilled to say that in three short days, I will be departing for Chiang Mai  Thailand! I could not be more excited! It's finally starting to seem more real now that I am actually packing my bags, however, I don't think I will actually believe it until I am boarding the plane with my wonderful team. 

These past few days have been filled with errands, spending time with my family and celebrating my sister Hannah's high school graduation. This week has been so much fun and it's been great to spend my short time at home with my family. This has also been a week of departures; more than our family has ever experienced. It's both surreal and exciting to see how we are all growing up, going our separate ways, and following God's calling in each of our lives. 

My Dad left today on a business trip to Saudi Arabia for three weeks, I leave on Thursday to Thailand for ten weeks, my sister Emily and her husband leave for Europe on Saturday for three weeks, my sister Sarah and her husband will be in California for a few weeks, and Hannah leaves for Worldview Academy Leadership Camp training next Saturday, June 2nd. In the course of nine weeks she will be traveling and working in seven different states. My boyfriend Andrew also left today for Germany to work and conduct research in a Physics lab with one of his professors (from ACU) for the next two months. My dad will be gone on business trips to various parts of the world for most of the summer, so that just leaves the twins (Benjamin and Rachel) and mom to fend for themselves almost all summer long.The twins will have the opportunity to attend a week long camp in June. Mom will  busy teaching many sewing classes and taking the twins to their numerous activities. The house has never been so empty before! 

We are so blessed to have such amazing opportunities this summer! Please keep my family and I in your prayers as we all adapt to the changes before us. 

(This picture was taken two weeks ago, when Emily and Tony were in town for Sarah's college graduation. The last family photo for a long time.)   

  (From left to right: Emily, Tony, Dad, Mom, Sarah, Jeremy, Me, Benjamin, Rachel, and Hannah)