Peace in facing the unknown

It's always hard to step out of your comfort zone.  And even after stepping out in faith, after a while we get comfortable again and God once again forces us to step out and trust Him.  That's where I am right now - once again being pushed out of my comfort zone.  Since I've already lived overseas, learned a new language and thrived in a culture completely different than the one I was raised in, you might think that going to Ghana is an easy thing for me.  But let me remind you that Africa is completely different from Brasil, that the tribal languages are nowhere close to Portuguese & going from a city of millions to a village of mud huts will definitely lead to culture shock!  I am very excited about this new adventure, but I will admit that there is fear mixed in with that excitement.  Ever since May, when I decided to go to Ghana, I have been trying to learn as much as I can.  But the more I learned, the more anxious I became that I was going to a place completely different than anywhere else I have been.  But God began to speak to me and to calm my anxieties.  "Since you have never traveled this way before (He) will guide you... purify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you." Joshua 3:4-5.  I'm going into uncharted territory, but the Lord is guiding me.  And HE is the one that's going to be doing all the work!  And then in Leviticus 20:22-24 "Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them... you must not live according to the customs of the nations."  Through this God reminded me that the most important thing as I go to Africa is not learning their customs or cultural practices, but obeying His commands.  And on top of this, me going to Africa in August is no different than waking up tomorrow morning here in Atlanta and letting God live through me!  It's all about HIM, not about me and not about the place I'm at. He has a plan and He wants to use each of us and out job is to abide in Him - He does all the rest!!  Praise God for His direction and His peace!