In 10 short days, I will hop in the car to make a seven-hour drive to Atlanta with my family, where I will take part in a four- to five-day launch process before getting on a 17-hour plane ride to Hyderabad, India.

In 10 short days, I will leave my comfortability, my friends, family, church family and my home to be a missionary for nine months. The goodbyes that come with this season of life are incredibly difficult. I leave behind people who have forever changed my life but am always reminded that I will be surrounded with people who will change my life on this journey.

As the days dwindle down, I realize how many goodbyes are going to come with this obedience. God simply reminds me they are worth it.

Several people ask me, “Are you ready?”

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There isn’t a question that I hate more. I still have not yet figured out how one properly prepares to leave behind everything they know and love to venture into the unknown to share the love of Christ for nine months.

I don’t know if I will ever be fully ready for what God is about to do in my life. The ways that he is going to provide, show up and be present over the next nine months is something that I don’t think I could ever be prepared for, but I am ready for this next season of life to see where God will lead me and to grow into a deeper relationship with him.

The emotions that come along with this journey can only be comforted by the Father.

I am excited. He gives affirmation.

I am nervous. He will guide the way.

I am fearful. He has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.

I am ready. His sweet promises lead me into the unknown.

The ways in which God has provided since training camp have left me absolutely speechless. God said to me at training camp, “Do you trust me?” I so gently said, “Yes.” He said, “Then be obedient.”

Through my obedience, God has provided nearly $7,000 in a little under a month. I have learned that Jesus fulfills his promises. He wants our obedience, and in return, he will bless us and show us his sweet and loving heart.

I am so very close to being fully funded, which is something that I never thought I would say at this point in the journey, but our God is so good and so faithful.

I am 95 percent funded and so close to my goal. I have been supported in ways, people and places that I never expected. I have been so greatly blessed by the people and places in my community. I will never find the words to properly thank you. Thank you for being obedient to God, and thank you for truly blessing me.

I thank you for joining me in this journey and for loving me oh so graciously.

In the next two weeks, I want to see and love on as many people as humanly possible. The countdown is on. Ten days.

Here I am, God. Send me.

Keia Blair is a Seymour native who attends Cincinnati Christian University. During her upcoming nine-month mission trip around the world, she will be submitting a series of blogs that will appear in The Tribune. Send comments to [email protected].