As I sit on the plane, I feel like part of me is missing. My best friend did not make it on the plane. There was a mix up at the airport with my dad’s passport, and they didn’t let him on the plane. While we are on a plane to Honduras, my dad is on a plane to Chicago to hopefully get the problem taken care of. The thing was that his passport expires in August of this year, but the airline said there is a “3 month rule” that doesn’t allow him to leave the country. So he is on his way to Chicago to go to the head of customs there and hopefully get it taken care off. He left for Chicago this morning in hopes of returning later tonight with his passport. He has rebooked his flight to Tegucigalpa, Honduras for 6:30 tomorrow morning if all goes well today. God is in complete control. I honestly could not have said that at this time last year, and I don’t believe my dad could have either. But standing in the airport this morning huddled up with friends to pray and ask for God to take control was the most amazing feeling. Airports are crazy with everyone hurrying to the counter to check in yet I look around, and there were small groups of parents and students lifting up the situation to our Lord. He IS in control! By His perfect will, I pray and ask that my dad will arrive safely in Honduras tomorrow to join our family in advancing the Kingdom of God together. As I stood in the airport at 5 o’clock this morning, I asked the Lord to give me a Psalm of comfort. He gave me Psalm 17. Hear the Word of the Lord:

Lord, hear a just cause; pay attention to my cry; listen to my prayer—from lips free of deceit. Let my vindication come from You, [for] You see what is right. You have tested my heart; You have visited by night; You have tried me and found nothing [evil]; I have determined that my mouth will not sin. Concerning what people do: by the Word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps are on Your paths; my feet have not slipped. I call on You, God, because You will answer me; listen closely to me; hear what I say. Display the wonders of Your faithful love, Savior of all who seek refuge from those who rebel against Your right hand. Guard me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings from the wicked who treat me violently, my deadly enemies who surround me. They have become hardened; their mouths speak arrogantly. They advance against me; now they surround me. They are determined to throw [me] to the ground. They are like a lion eager to tear, like a young lion lurking in ambush. Ride up, LORD! Confront him; bring him down. With Your sword, save me from the wicked. With Your hand, Lord, [save me] from men, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life: You fill their bellies with what You have in store, their sons are satisfied, and they leave their surplus to their children. But I will see Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence.

I have read that Psalm over 25 times this morning. It brings more comfort to me every time I read it that the Lord is in control. Whether my dad shows up in Honduras tomorrow morning or the next day or not at all, I have complete faith that Jesus Christ is watching over my dad, the rest of my family, as well as our entire team. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated. Satan is attacking from all sides already. I selfishly ask that you would pray that my dad would make it to Honduras tomorrow morning. It feels like part of me has been ripped out. Tears fill my eyes as I type this on the plane. I want him here with me so bad. I want to see the smile on my dad’s face as the little kids yell, “Foto! Foto!” I want to see the tears that fill his eyes as his heart breaks for those kids. I want my dad here with me. Lord, I am crying out to You right now. Sorry this is so long…my heart and mind is overloaded with emotions right now. Please be in prayer. Know that I love each and everyone of you who reads this journal of mine. Until next time…

With a heavy heart,
Kevin Furniss